Seattle City Wire

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, representing Washington's 7th district, utilized her platform on social media on April 17, 2025, to address significant concerns regarding policy changes proposed by then-President Donald Trump. The tweets highlighted three major topics: budget cuts, local government funding, and student visa revocations.

Jayapal expressed her alarm at President Trump's proposal to cut the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s budget by 27%. According to her tweet, such a reduction would involve the complete elimination of salmon recovery programs, which play a vital role in maintaining the local ecosystem. She warned of the adverse effects on regional wildlife, particularly the protection of killer whales, describing the proposed cuts as "absolutely unacceptable." "Trump is cutting NOAA’s budget by a whopping 27% — which would fully eliminate salmon recovery programs..." she tweeted.

In a separate post, Jayapal criticized Trump's approach towards local governments concerning immigration policy compliance. She accused the President of coercion, stating that he was "blackmailing local governments" by threatening to cut their funding if they did not adhere to his "cruel and sometimes illegal" immigration policies. Jayapal argued that this strategy undermined democracy and negatively impacted all Americans. "Trump is blackmailing local governments — telling them that if they don’t comply..." she elaborated.

Additionally, Jayapal raised concerns about Trump's actions regarding international students. She noted that valid student visas were being revoked, describing the situation as unacceptable. This move would significantly affect students across the nation, as outlined in her tweet. "ICYMI: Trump is going after students across the country..." she wrote.

Pramila Jayapal has been serving in the U.S. Congress since 2017, succeeding Jim McDermott. Prior to her congressional role, she served in the Washington State Senate. With her extensive background, including her education at Georgetown University and Northwestern University, Jayapal is a prominent figure voicing her opposition to policies she deems detrimental to democracy and society.