Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who represents Washington’s 7th district in the U.S. Congress, used her social media platform to highlight alleged abuses by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and criticize former President Donald Trump’s policies in a series of tweets posted on January 20 and 21, 2026.
On January 20, Jayapal wrote: “Patty and her friend Brandon, both US citizens, went to observe ICE activity — something they are legally entitled to do — only to be pepper-sprayed, demeaned, and thrown into an ICE facility. Listen to Patty’s story: https://t.co/aPNcktfj6X”
In another tweet later that evening on January 21, she addressed broader national concerns: “In just one year, Trump has tanked our economy, made groceries unaffordable, slashed health care for millions, militarized our cities, and done irreparable damage to our communities. It’s time for accountability. https://t.co/6CYHQBfh1C”
Continuing the discussion about ICE practices during a field hearing in Minnesota on January 21, Jayapal stated: “At my field hearing in Minnesota, we heard firsthand from U.S. citizens who were brutalized, arrested, and detained by ICE. The cruelty is the point. https://t.co/78XuCZeQKc”
Jayapal has represented Washington’s 7th District since replacing Jim McDermott in 2017 after previously serving in the Washington State Senate from 2014 to 2016. Born in Chennai in 1965 and now residing in Seattle at age 57, she holds degrees from Georgetown University (1986) and Northwestern University (1990).
