Caption: Rep. Jamie Raskin (D–Md.) speaks during the House Administration Committee hearing titled “Preventing Fraudulent Donations: Transparency, Verification, and Accountability” in the Longworth building on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images.
A video of the interview was embedded with the original content.
Summary and transcript notice
This article reports on an interview with Representative Jamie Raskin about concerns over the Trump administration’s actions and their potential effect on the 2026 midterm elections. A rushed transcript follows and may contain errors; it will be updated as needed.
Credits
– Production: Taya Graham, Stephen Janis
– Post-production: David Hebden
Interview summary (rewritten, neutral tone)
Stephen Janis introduced the topic by noting ongoing coverage of the threat to the midterm elections and asked Raskin about legislation he has proposed in response to actions by the Trump administration. Raskin said most Americans oppose a proposed disbursement of taxpayer funds—he cited about $1.8 billion—intended for far-right extremist groups connected to the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. He described the proposal as unlawful and called for legislation to block the fund and to prevent any attempt to grant the president or his family lifelong immunity from criminal, civil, or tax prosecution for past conduct.
Raskin characterized the current administration’s actions as an attack on democratic institutions and civil liberties. He said efforts to control or intimidate the press, to erode the separation of church and state, and to promote a partisan media agenda threaten constitutional protections. He distinguished private religious practice from government-compelled religious activity in public schools and warned against government-written religious scripts for students.
On election interference and the upcoming midterms, Raskin said the administration and its allies are not simply fabricating claims but actively pursuing measures that suppress voting—such as removing people from voter rolls, closing polling places, or subpoenaing ballots—to tilt outcomes. He emphasized that legal organizations and civil society groups are mobilized and working to counter these tactics. He noted, however, that the administration and allies are also targeting those civil society organizations—citing efforts to discredit the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks extremist groups—and called this part of a broader campaign against groups that expose or combat extremism.
Regarding law enforcement and immigration enforcement, Raskin expressed concern that elements of the federal government are being used as paramilitary forces. He said ICE has acted in ways that resemble a secret police, citing deaths in custody and specific cases he referenced. He argued for immigration policies that make illegal entry more difficult while expanding legal pathways, and warned against using immigration issues to justify creating a paramilitary force within government.
When asked about large sums allocated in reconciliation legislation—mentioned by Janis as $70 billion for ICE and CBP—Raskin reiterated the concern that increased funding could enable more aggressive, paramilitary-style enforcement and further empower forces that could be used to intimidate or control domestic affairs.
On the Epstein file disclosures, Raskin said the committee needs stronger legislation to compel full document turnover and prevent continued withholding. He described the withheld material as likely to contain further incriminating or scandalous information and emphasized the importance of centering victims and survivors in investigations. He linked the administration’s broader culture to authoritarianism and to attacks on institutions that support victims of sexual violence.
Finally, Janis asked about a possible endorsement of Maine candidate Graham Platner. Raskin said he had not made a formal endorsement and had not been specifically asked, but he would not rule out endorsing Platner. He described Platner’s politics as working-class–oriented and progressive and said voters in Maine should judge whether Platner has learned from past mistakes and committed to personal and political transformation. Raskin added that if Platner becomes the Democratic nominee, he would support that nominee and work to elect them.
Rushed transcript (condensed and organized)
– Stephen Janis introduced the interview and asked Raskin about the Blanche Act and the proposed slush fund and immunity measures in the reconciliation package.
– Raskin said most Americans oppose giving roughly $1.8 billion to extremists implicated in the January 6 attack. He called the proposal illegal and urged Congress to pass legislation blocking the fund and any lifetime immunity provisions for the president or his family.
– When asked whether the issue is personal to him, Raskin said democracy and the fight against authoritarianism are personal concerns. He detailed what he sees as efforts to control media and religious expression publicly, emphasizing that government must not compel religious practice in schools.
– On midterm threats, Raskin said the administration’s actions—voter purges, polling site closures, and other suppression tactics—constitute ongoing attempts to steal elections. He credited legal groups and civil society for mobilizing to defend voting rights and said that is why those organizations are under attack.
– Raskin expressed alarm at the administration’s treatment of groups that counter extremism, naming efforts to discredit the Southern Poverty Law Center and to target those who investigate violent groups.
– On reconciliation spending for ICE and CBP, Raskin said large increases risk creating a paramilitary force within the government, which he compared to historical patterns used by authoritarians.
– Regarding the Epstein-related documents, Raskin said the committees must press for full disclosure. He noted that six million files were expected, three million have been withheld, and the material already released contains troubling information. He stressed the need to center victims and survivors.
– On a potential endorsement of Graham Platner, Raskin said he has not made a formal endorsement, would not rule out supporting Platner, and would back the Democratic nominee should Platner win the primary.
Note: The original article included a video embed and a transcript described as rushed. This rewrite condenses and clarifies the key points made during the interview while retaining the substance of the exchange.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.