Lamont Defies Trump, Tells ICE Agents to 'Go Home'

Gov. Ned Lamont delivered his State of the State address Wednesday to a joint session of the General Assembly, drawing from Thomas Paine’s 1776 pamphlets “Common Sense” and “The American Crisis.”

The 40-minute speech, delivered at the State Capitol’s Hall of the House of Representatives, addressed federal policies and Connecticut’s response to various challenges.

“Two hundred and fifty years ago, Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense – that America’s fight for freedom was not radical rebellion, but simply common sense,” Lamont said, referencing the 1776 pamphlets that were distributed by the hundreds of thousands.

Lamont quoted Paine’s words: “These are the times that try men’s souls,” as he described current challenges including federal agents in Minneapolis and concerns about government shutdowns and federal cuts affecting families.

“Masked federal agents have descended on Minneapolis, terrorizing communities, tearing families apart,” he said. “Some of our folks worry that another government shutdown and sudden federal cuts will mean no dinner tonight, no roof over their head, too expensive to take care of a sick child.”

The governor emphasized Connecticut’s historical role as “a birthplace of freedom” with four signers of the Declaration of Independence, noting that the words “All men (and women) are created equal” should remain “our north star 250 years later.”

Lamont proposed several initiatives, including a $400 energy rebate per family and universal free school breakfast. “Everybody starts the day right. No shame, no stigma, no empty stomachs,” he said of the breakfast program.

The governor also backed bell-to-bell cell phone bans in schools and called for a blue ribbon commission on K-12 education that could consolidate some functions across Connecticut’s 207 school districts.

“We have 207 school districts; that doesn’t mean we have to replicate every overhead function 207 times,” he said.

On housing, Lamont proposed mortgage and time-to-own subsidies, noting demographic changes: “When I was younger, 10% of folks lived alone. Now, it is closer to 30%. Two options – more housing for singles or hurry up and get married.”

Lamont criticized the Trump administration’s policies, saying Connecticut stepped in where “most states said, ‘Tough luck, blame the feds, you’re on your own.’” He promised Connecticut “can and will finally move to universal, affordable healthcare” as federal policies “include increasing insurance premiums on the exchange and cutting Medicaid.”

The speech was attended by legislative leaders including Senator Harding, Representative Candelora, and Lieutenant Governor Bysiewicz.