📖 Today’s #PoliticsPA Guide. Trump endorses Garrity for governor. Has Shapiro done enough for victims of sexual violence? Shapiro Cabinet Members Call ICE Actions ‘Abuse of Power’
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🔈 What we hear“We have been planning for this. We understand that this is a risk, maybe not just in Philadelphia, but in Pittsburgh, Lancaster and other communities throughout Pennsylvania. We have heard similar rumors. Wherever it happens, we will be prepared.” Governor Josh Shapiro on rumors that ICE may target Pennsylvania.
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The most crucial story
1. Trump supports Garrity’s candidacy for governor, calling her “America’s first patriot”
“President Donald Trump approved State Treasurer Stacy Garrity for Pennsylvania’s governor on Tuesday night, offering a potential boost to the GOP-backed candidate expected to challenge Governor Josh Shapiro in November.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump praised Garrity, declaring that “SHE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN” and stating that as governor she would work to grow the economy, strengthen the military, secure the border and secure elections, among other things.
“Stacy is a true American first patriot who has been with me from the beginning,” Trump wrote. | Questioner from Philadelphia
Elsewhere
Fetterman calls on President Trump to fire Noem. “In the wake of the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman is calling on President Donald Trump to fire Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.” | PoliticsPA
Fetterman said he would not vote against DHS funding. Every House Democrat from Pennsylvania is urging him to change his mind. “All seven Democratic members of the House of Representatives representing Pennsylvania signed a letter to Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick on Tuesday urging them to vote against funding the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees both ICE and the Border Patrol.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
What Pennsylvanians can do as ICE demands a redefinition of constitutional rights. “Leaders at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are pushing to expand the authority of their officers to forcibly enter private residences without a judge’s order to arrest immigrants on deportation orders. By asserting this authority, the ICE administration and President Donald Trump are risking a constitutional confrontation in federal court, says John Jones III, former chief judge of the U.S. Federal District Court in Pennsylvania. ” | WITF
Country
2. Shapiro campaigned for justice for victims of sexual abuse. Some say he hasn’t done enough as governor
“When Josh Shapiro running for governor in 2022, he touted his work as Pennsylvania’s attorney general to expose the Catholic Church’s systematic cover-up to protect priests who abused children.
“I sought justice for abuse victims and put predatory priests behind bars,” Shapiro said on social media during his campaign. “As governor, I will continue to fight for accountability for victims of sexual abuse.”
Four years later, former lawmakers who also experienced child sexual abuse say Shapiro has not done enough to fulfill that promise.’ | PA reflector
Elsewhere
Shapiro joins lawsuit to remove slavery evidence. “Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro filed an amicus brief on Tuesday in support of the City of Philadelphia’s lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to remove a historic slavery exhibit from the grounds of the President’s House at Independence National Historical Park.” | PoliticsPA
The PA is preparing for a modern budget less than three months after Shapiro signed the last budget. “Governor Josh Shapiro will unveil his 2026-2027 budget on February 3, surely kicking off another controversial fiscal cycle less than three months after signing his last spending plan.” | PennLive
HD-193: Democrats select Crawley as candidate in special election. “The race is now set for a special election scheduled for March 17 to fill the 193rd Legislative District seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Democratic Campaign Committee announced that it has nominated Todd Crawley, former director of public and environmental health and safety at Harrisburg Area Community College. ” | PoliticsPA
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Shapiro Cabinet Members Call ICE Actions in Minnesota ‘Abuse of Power’
“For a full conversation on federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, nine members Governor Josh Shapiro The Cabinet called what’s happening in Minnesota a “clear abuse of power,” while the Allegheny County Legislature is proposing a legal ban on state police contracting with ICE.
“Our hearts are heavy after another violent and deadly weekend in America,” was the opening line of the letter, dated Monday and signed by Mr. Shapiro’s secretaries of policy and planning, human services, corrections and other agencies, as well as the acting commissioner of the state police. It was addressed to “social leaders”. | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Elsewhere
ICE’s tactics in Minneapolis sparked a political firestorm from Philadelphia City Hall to Washington. “In Philadelphia, lawmakers unveiled legislation on Tuesday that would impose some of the nation’s toughest limits on federal immigration enforcement activities.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
The Allegheny County Council will consider introducing a bill banning cooperation with ICE. “This solution would codify a number of formal policies and informal practices across the government, and general council member Bethany Hallam has stated that it is intended to halt cooperation with ICE for the distant future.” | THAT’S ALL
Could there be a power outage in Pennsylvania? “Pennsylvania’s long-predicted energy crisis has not ended — it has only been delayed. PJM Interconnection says the region will not be able to provide required power reserves from June 2027. Shortages result from slow replacement of retiring plants and growing demand from electrification and data centers” | Public source
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. 🥂 1 For the road: THC drinks are a hit in the arenas
“United Center will be the first major arena in the country to offer cannabis-infused THC drinks during concerts and events.
Message management: Chicago-based brands Señorita and Rythm announced Tuesday that they have entered into a multi-year agreement with United Center to add hemp-infused THC beverages to their menu.
Game status: The stadium will offer four different 5mg hemp-derived THC options, including margarita and paloma flavors. They will be available to consumers 21 years of age and older.” | Axis Chicago
Thank you for starting Wednesday with us.
We’re halfway home (so they say). See you tomorrow.
