Author: Sentor Alsobrooks Staff    Published: 3/27/2025    Senator Alsobrooks 

Friends and neighbors,

I’d like to start with this week’s breaking news. You may have seen that our nation’s intelligence leadership thought it wise and suitable to have national security conversations via Signal, a public messaging app. To make matters worse, the editor-in-chief of the Atlantic was added to this chat.

It is abundantly clear that the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Adviser put the lives of American pilots in grave danger. In doing so, they have failed in their mandate to protect the lives of our American military members and our national security interests.

It is by the grace of God that these pilots are alive today. Had the messages fallen into the wrong hands — a probable scenario given the lack of security and Waltz’s reckless inclusion of a political reporter — the mission would have failed, and there is a more than likely chance those pilots would be dead.

The President has a duty to take seriously the safety and lives of every American military member. He must remove Pete Hegseth from his position as Secretary of Defense and Mike Waltz from his position as National Security Adviser. Their security clearances must be permanently revoked.

If the President is unable to bring himself to fire them, then they must both resign immediately.

***

There’s a lot happening in Washington and across the state. Let’s get into it.

 

Anniversary of the Key Bridge Collapse

At 1:28 am on March 26, 2024 — a year ago — a tragedy struck Maryland. A container ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge. While many were asleep, the Key Bridge collapsed into the icy waters, killing six men: fathers, brothers, husbands, friends, colleagues. My hearts are with their families today and every day going forward as we work as a state to rebuild.

Team Maryland will rebuild, and we won’t rest until it’s done. We won’t rest because we are doing it for all of Maryland. The six Marylanders that lost their lives that day: José Mynor López, Alejandro Hernández Fuentes, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, Carlos Daniel Hernández, and Miguel Ángel Luna González. The brave Marylanders that dove into the frigid water during the rescue operation. The strong Marylanders whose businesses and livelihoods were impacted by the collapse. The Marylanders who depend on our port for resources. The Marylanders who count on our infrastructure to stand strong.

And when it’s completed, we will serve as an example, to the nation and the world, of what teamwork and togetherness can achieve.

You can watch my floor speech honoring the victims of this tragedy and our commitment to rebuild here.

First State Work Period

Last week was the first state work period since I was sworn in on January 3. I took full advantage of the time and got around the state to hear from Marylanders. Whether in Prince George’s County, Baltimore City, or the Eastern Shore, I heard similar concerns from folks who feel uncertainty about our economy – even their own personal finances. I can assure you that amid all of the uncertainty, I will continue pushing this Administration for answers, using every legislative tool at my disposal, and supporting hardworking Marylanders.

Last Thursday, I participated in a town hall in Baltimore County hosted by the Metro Baltimore AFL-CIO, which focused on the impact of this Administration on our civil servants. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Congressmen Mfume and Olszewski, and I took questions from union members and affiliates. We have had some hard months. And while this Administration has made clear they stand with billionaires, Maryland knows I’m fighting for our workers — and I always will.

Later that evening, I participated in a town hall in Woodlawn hosted by Councilman Pat Young. With more than 600 Marylanders in attendance, it was a productive discussion. It was abundantly clear that residents and federal civil servants are worried about their jobs and the economy, their Social Security and Medicare, and the future of our nation under this Administration. Read an article about the town hall here.

Last Thursday, I spent the day on the Eastern Shore. We started our visit meeting with agricultural leaders in Vienna, MD. From frozen federal funds to the avian flu, I had the opportunity to hear their concerns and how their businesses and their farms are being affected.

In the Senate, I’m working to unfreeze those funds and ensure that the Administration rehires experts working on the avian flu who were unceremoniously and needlessly fired.

Thank you Maryland Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks for joining us.

I met with mayors and leadership during a meeting of the Eastern Shore Association of Municipalities. The discussion centered around concerns about frozen federal funds on projects from public safety to affordable housing. I will continue to work with my colleagues to get this critical funding moving. Ensuring our Eastern Shore communities remain vibrant is not a partisan issue and we need to work in a bipartisan way to ensure allocated resources get to the communities that need them most.

I also spent time in the Baltimore region during the work period.

I had a great tour of the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore City and learned about the museum’s redesign, and workforce development program to support the community. I also met with the Greater Baltimore Committee for a conversation about the Baltimore region’s priorities. And I hosted a community conversation at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum to hear directly from local seniors, veterans, health care workers, artists, and parents about the issues impacting them and how I can support them.

Last Tuesday, I was honored to meet with over 30 pastors from across our state to hear about how the Trump Administration’s actions are impacting their congregations. As a woman of faith, I am so grateful to be able to have this open dialogue with clergy who are leading our communities. I look forward to working with faith leaders across Maryland to provide factual information and resources to Maryland families.

Also on Tuesday, I had the opportunity to meet with BWI Thurgood Marshall Executive Director Ricky Smith and his team to get an overview of BWI and Martin State Airports and get an in-depth briefing on the airport and facilities projects. BWI is a gateway to the world and an economic powerhouse for the state.

I also visited and toured Fort George G. Meade alongside Col. Yolanda Gore, 89th Garrison Commander of Fort Meade. The work happening at Fort Meade from combat support to cybersecurity and so much more is protecting our national security and keeping Maryland and our nation safe.

Stay Informed

I know these are difficult times, but please know that I will continue fighting for you every step of the way. We will not give up. We will not give in to this administration, and I ask that you continue to fight alongside us. Please continue to reach out to us. Tell us your story. You can call the office or connect with us at alsobrooks.senate.gov.

You can also follow us on Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, YouTube, and X.

 

Sincerely,

Angela Alsobrooks
United States Senator