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Who Does This Sound Like?

July 9th, 2025

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Statement from Chairman Joe Powers on Education Funding and Political Posturing

July 9th, 2025

July 9, 2025

Contact: executivedirector@ri.gop

Statement from Chairman Joe Powers on Education Funding and Political Posturing

Warwick, RI — Chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party, Joe Powers, released the following statement in response to the ongoing discussion surrounding federal education funds and the upcoming press conference hosted by Rep. Seth Magaziner, Mayor Brett Smiley, and Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green:

“It’s my understanding that the administration is reviewing how these funds are being used to support students and our schools. That’s a reasonable step. But let’s not pretend this is just about process. These funds were appropriated by Congress with a clear intent—to improve education. And given the state of public education in Rhode Island, we should all be demanding transparency and results.

I see that Congressman Magaziner, Mayor Smiley, and Commissioner Infante-Green are holding a press conference on this topic. No doubt it will include the usual political theater—complete with blame-shifting toward the Trump administration. They’ll say children are at risk. But let’s be honest: children are at risk—and they’ve been suffering for years under a broken education system that continues to fail them academically.

This is not a future threat. It’s a present-day crisis. Rhode Island students are falling behind in reading, writing, and math. That’s not rhetoric—it’s reality.

Instead of using this issue to score political points, our leaders should be laser-focused on making sure these funds are used for their intended purpose: to get our schools back to basics and our students back on track.”

Statement from Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers on the Passing of Governor Edward “Ed” DiPrete

July 9th, 2025

July 9, 2025

Contact: executivedirector@ri.gop

Statement from Rhode Island GOP Chairman Joe Powers on the Passing of Governor Edward “Ed” DiPrete

WARWICK, RI – Rhode Island Republican Party Chairman Joe Powers today issued the following statement on the passing of former Governor Edward D. DiPrete:

“It is with a deep sense of respect and reflection that we mark the passing of former Governor Edward DiPrete—a dedicated public servant whose legacy stretches across decades of Rhode Island history.

As a lifelong Cranston resident, I knew him not just as Governor, but first as my Mayor. He was a fixture in the civic life of our community and a presence in local politics during my formative years. Governor DiPrete embodied the kind of leadership that believed in rolling up your sleeves, knowing your neighbors, and putting Rhode Island first.

From the Cranston School Committee to the State House, Ed DiPrete gave much of his life to the people of Rhode Island. His three terms as Governor during the 1980s marked an era of economic focus and pragmatic governance.

Just yesterday, many of us were wishing him a happy 91st birthday, a reminder of the lasting impact he had on those who knew him and the state he served.

He leaves behind a family who stood by him and a generation who knew him as a determined leader. On behalf of the Rhode Island Republican Party, we extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones.

May he be remembered for his decades of commitment to public service, and may he rest in peace.”

Happy Independence Day!

July 4th, 2025

May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'ONE ONEBIG BIG BEAL BEALTIFUL BIL ACT Signed into Lan'

RIGOP STATEMENT ON FINAL HOUSE PASSAGE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL

July 3rd, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 3, 2025

Contact: executivedirector@ri.gop

RIGOP STATEMENT ON FINAL HOUSE PASSAGE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP’S ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL

WARWICK, RI – Today, Republican Party of Rhode Island Chairman Joe Powers released the following statement following the final House passage of President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ One, Big, Beautiful Bill:

“Today marks a major victory for the hardworking families of Rhode Island and across this nation,” said Chairman Joe Powers. “This bill delivers exactly what President Trump and Republicans promised, massive tax relief for the middle class, real border security to protect our communities, and deep cuts to reckless Washington spending. Democrats in both chambers had the chance to stand with working Americans, and instead, they stood in lockstep with their radical base. Make no mistake—Rhode Islanders won’t forget who fought for them, and who sold them out.”

Chairman Powers added, “The America First Agenda is alive and well, and this bill is just the beginning.”

Israel and Iran Sign a Cease Fire!!

June 23rd, 2025

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Republican Party of Rhode Island Chairman’s Statement on U.S. Defensive Strikes Against Iran

June 22nd, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 21, 2025

Contact: executivedirector@ri.gop

Republican Party of Rhode Island Chairman’s Statement on U.S. Defensive Strikes Against Iran

Warwick, RI — The Republican Party of Rhode Island stands in full support of the recent targeted U.S. military strikes against Iran—measured, strategic, and necessary to deter further aggression from a regime that has long sought chaos over peace.

We commend President Donald J. Trump for his strength and clarity of purpose. Like President Reagan in the 1980s, who stood firm with the Soviet Union while extending a hand for peace, President Trump is reminding the world that America does not seek war—but will not run from confrontation when freedom and global stability are threatened.

President Trump has consistently and unequivocally called on Iran to cease its uranium enrichment and abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons. His position has remained firm, a nuclear-armed Iran poses a grave threat not only to the region but to global stability. The recent action serves as a reminder that while the United States remains open to diplomacy, it will not ignore continued violations or hostile intent. The path to peace is still open if Iran chooses it.

This was not an act of emotion—it was an act of resolve. A message, loud and clear, that the United States is not interested in forever wars, but it will not sit back and allow a hostile regime to endanger innocent lives or destabilize the world.

“President Trump’s leadership in this moment reflects the kind of steady hand our nation and the world needs,” said RI GOP Chairman Joe Powers. “He has demonstrated restraint, precision, and a deep understanding of what it means to act from strength, not impulse. His resolve in avoiding another forever war while protecting American lives is exactly what responsible leadership looks like.”

The RI Republican Party supports President Trump’s commitment to peace through strength. We pray for the safety of all military involved, the wisdom of our leaders, and a return to diplomacy grounded in reality, not appeasement.

RI DEMOCRATS DECLARE WAR ON YOUR RIGHTS – AND THEY THINK YOU’LL JUST TAKE IT

June 21st, 2025

 

Contact: communications@ri.gop

June 20, 2025

RI DEMOCRATS DECLARE WAR ON YOUR RIGHTS – AND THEY THINK YOU’LL JUST TAKE IT

Chairman Joe Powers Calls Out General Assembly’s Assault Weapons Ban for What It Is: Unconstitutional, Un-American, and Unforgivable

Warwick, RI – The Rhode Island Republican Party is sounding the alarm after the Democrat-controlled General Assembly rammed through an Assault Weapons Ban — a blatant, unconstitutional attack on the rights of law-abiding Rhode Islanders.

“This is a disgrace,” said RI GOP Chairman Joe Powers. “Democrats in this state have abandoned the Constitution, abandoned the people, and embraced a one-party dictatorship that no longer hides its contempt for freedom.”

The ban doesn’t protect citizens — it punishes them. It criminalizes responsible gun owners, burdens small businesses, threatens conservation funds, and opens the floodgates for costly lawsuits that Democrats know they’ll lose.

“They’re not even pretending anymore,” Powers continued. “They know this bill violates the Second Amendment. They know the courts will strike it down. And they still passed it — because their agenda is more important to them than your rights.”

Worse yet, the Democrats used deceitful tactics to drum up support, allowing national groups like Everytown to hijack Rhode Island’s legislative process with phony email campaigns and manipulated messaging.

“This wasn’t public input. This was political fraud,” Powers said. “They lied to the public, they lied to the press, and they lied to themselves if they think this will go unchallenged.”

The Chairman also condemned the General Assembly’s obsession with political grandstanding at the expense of public safety and fiscal sanity.

“While families are struggling, while our schools crumble, and while our bridges are literally falling apart — they spent their time chasing headlines and trampling the Constitution,” said Powers. “This is about ego. This is about career politicians jockeying for the next job — not about protecting Rhode Islanders.”

Powers didn’t hold back on what’s next:

“We now have a clear, targeted list of every legislator who voted to betray their oath — and their time is running out. But we need fighters. If you’re a Republican, an Independent, an Unaffiliated voter, or a Democrat who’s watched your party be hijacked, you’re not alone. JFK Democrats no longer exist — they’ve been replaced by radical leftist progressives who won’t rest until every one of your rights is stripped away. Now is the time to rise up, join our ranks, and take our state back.

The RI GOP is actively recruiting candidates to challenge these anti-Constitution, anti-liberty legislators.

“To every Rhode Islander who still believes in the Constitution — we’re not going to fix this by posting memes or yelling at the TV. We fix it by running for office, knocking doors, and taking back this state seat by seat,” Powers said.

“They’ve drawn the battle lines. Now it’s time to fight.”

Stand with us. Step up. Run. Donate. Get involved.

Run for Local Office

June 13th, 2025
It’s Time to Step Up and Lead

The clock is ticking. The fight for Rhode Island’s future won’t wait.

You don’t need to be a politician — you need to be a patriot. Run for office and help end 80 years of one-party rule. Your state is ready. Are you?
  1. Tell us who you are.
  2. What office you want to run for.
  3. Why do you want to step up and run.

We all thank you for taking the time and helping out RI make the course correctionn it so desperately needs. 

State Rep. Enrique Sanchez is calling for a “massive anti-ICE protest here in Rhode Island, like the one in L.A.”

June 9th, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 9, 2025

communications@ri.gop

Statement from Republican Party of RI Chairman Powers:

State Rep. Enrique Sanchez is calling for a “massive anti-ICE protest here in Rhode Island, like the one in L.A.”

Let’s be clear, peaceful protest is a sacred right in this country—protected by the Constitution and woven into the fabric of our Republic. But what Sanchez is pushing isn’t a peaceful protest. It’s a dangerous call to disorder, modeled after a protest that left streets in flames, cars destroyed, and public safety hanging by a thread. This is not civil discourse—it’s an open invitation to anarchy.

And here’s the real question: why are Rhode Island Democrats so quick to defend lawbreakers, and so hostile toward those who enforce our laws? Is this the leadership we’re supposed to respect? Are we really being represented by people who would rather side with chaos than with the citizens who play by the rules?

We didn’t elect leaders to stoke flames—we elected them to uphold order, defend our rights, and protect our communities. But time and again, Democrats in this state choose criminals over citizens, illegal aliens over taxpaying Rhode Islanders, and political stunts over public safety.

This has to stop. Every Democrat in this state legislature who claims to represent the people better take a hard look in the mirror and ask themselves where they stand. Do you stand with law enforcement or with mobs? Do you stand for public safety or political theater? Will you condemn these reckless calls to action, or will your silence speak volumes?

And let this be known, anyone, especially elected officials, who encourages or enables protests that devolve into destruction will be held accountable. Civilly. Financially. Publicly. No more hiding behind platitudes. No more dodging responsibility.

Rhode Islanders are done being silent. We’re taking a stand—for law, for order, and for leadership with a spine. If our elected officials won’t rise to that standard, we’ll find ones who will.