FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 19, 2025

Contact: Communications@RI.GOP

Statement from RI GOP Chairman Joe Powers: Gov. McKee Chooses Politics Over the Constitution

“Once again, Governor Dan McKee has shown Rhode Islanders exactly why his approval rating is lower than Hunter Biden’s dating standards. Faced with a clear and direct letter from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Governor’s response is not only beneath the dignity of his office, it’s beneath the trust of every Rhode Islander.

When he swore his oath, he promised to defend the Constitution, not selectively, not occasionally, but always. If he is willing to look the other way on something as fundamental as public safety and federal law, then it begs the question: what else is he lying to us about? Our crumbling infrastructure? Our bloated $14 billion budget? The safety of our families?

Him ignoring federal law is exactly how we end up with Assistant Attorneys General who feel emboldened with a sense of entitlement, acting as if they’re above the law instead of enforcing it. That’s not leadership, that’s arrogance.

To be clear, Rhode Island’s local governing body should be willing to work with our federal government to ensure the safety of all Rhode Islanders. It’s time to stop playing politics for personal gain and start putting our citizens first. If Governor McKee refuses to comply with federal law, then the DOJ should take whatever means necessary to enforce it, because the safety of Rhode Islanders and all Americans must come before politics.

President Reagan reminded us that a nation without borders is not a nation at all. Rhode Island’s sanctuary status is a reckless and dangerous policy that puts politics over people. Our citizens deserve a Governor who tells the truth, stands up for law and order, and puts Rhode Island first, not one who ducks, dodges, and deflects while our state slips further into chaos.”

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.”

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.”