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.”

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.

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.