What I’m Doing to Fight the Abuses of the Trump Administration
Since the inauguration, the Trump Administration has taken numerous unlawful and reckless actions, hurting countless communities. Constituents call my office daily expressing fear and outrage about how President Trump and his appointees are harming the integrity of the federal government and the country.
I share their anger and concern, and as your Congresswoman, I am fighting back against the Trump Administration's attempts to undermine the Constitution and the American people at every opportunity.
Here are some efforts I am taking to stop the Administration from harming my constituents, our communities, and the country:
Listening To You, And Supporting Constituents on the Ground
For my first year in Congress, building strong relationships with my constituents and local leaders has been a priority to provide the best support for you. In my first 100 days in office, I hosted 13 town halls, both in person and online, to meet with you directly and hear about the top issues facing my constituents daily.
Elfreth hears constituent concerns at Ellicott City Town Hall.
Since then, I have criss-crossed the Third District, hearing from folks at service academy forums and childcare roundtables; meeting with a range of local leaders from Major Generals and Lieutenant Colonels to Presidents across the University System of Maryland; and visiting community associations, Maryland hospitals facing cuts, and numerous nonprofits serving our community to better understand how our Maryland communities have directly been impacted by this Administration.
I am hearing your calls, stories, and concerns firsthand and sharing information wherever I can to provide guidance and support during these unprecedented times.
Elfreth takes phone calls directly from constituents on President Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill."
Supporting Our Hardworking Civil Servants
In the name of eliminating "waste, fraud, and abuse," President Trump illegally created DOGE and unleashed its sledgehammer on the federal workforce, firing tens of thousands of career, expert employees.
As the representative for over 44,000 federal employees and a member of the Labor Caucus, protecting the federal workforce has been one of my top priorities from day one. In my first floor speech, I dedicated my time to speaking out against the attacks on federal workers – making it clear I would not stand for these appalling firings. Then, I introduced the first bipartisan anti-DOGE bill in Congress: the Protect Our Probationary Employees Act. The bill ensures that if and when employees are reinstated, they will not need to restart their probationary period for the same job they previously held and can continue to do the important work of the American people.
Elfreth introduces the Protect Our Probationary Employees Act alongside civil servants.
Soon after, I joined over 100 of my Democratic colleagues in writing to the heads of the 24 CFO Act federal agencies, demanding these agencies inform their employees properly about Elon Musk's reckless email threatening resignation. With my fellow Maryland Democratic Delegation, I met with federal employee union leaders to discuss how to best support federal workers amid the careless workforce cuts. As Maryland's voice on the House Armed Services Committee, I questioned Secretary Hegseth directly on the firing of top officials in the NSA, which could recklessly endanger our country's military readiness and lethality if not addressed.
Elfreth meets with federal employee union leaders and discusses Trump Administration firings.
At every opportunity, I've taken the chance to loudly condemn cuts to our expert civil service, such as at NOAA and the CDC, through statements, letters, and speeches, ensuring all Americans can enjoy the life-saving work of our strong, merit-based federal workforce. For any federal workers in my district who have been impacted by the reckless and unlawful actions of the Trump Administration, I launched a webpage with guidance and resources on next steps.
Opposing President Trump's Reckless Federal Funding Freezes and Clawbacks
One of the most damaging and unprecedented actions of this Administration has been pushing for massive funding cuts across the federal government. These reductions not only show a blatant disregard for the necessary, life-saving work of our federal agencies but have been, at times, unlawful and unconstitutional oversteps of Congressional budget powers.
My team and I immediately got to work, resolving a number of local challenges created by President Trump's freeze of federal funding, including helping to reopen funding streams so state agencies can continue their services.
Elfreth speaks with Comptroller Lierman about President Trump's federal funding freeze.
But the Trump Administration has also tried to claw back:
- Public broadcasting with a proposed $1 billion in cuts to channels like PBS and NPR
- Foreign aid with a proposed $7.9 billion cut in the Republican rescissions package, harming our closest allies like Ukraine
- FEMA, where the Trump Administration illegally terminated the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program that provided federal funding for natural disaster mitigation projects, costing FEMA millions during hurricane season
I voted NO on all of the cuts above and more – and I will continue using my power in Congress to oppose the destructive cuts from this Administration.
Protecting Our Most Vulnerable Communities Against Trump's Discriminatory Policies
On top of targeting specific federal agencies and programs, the Trump Administration has attacked the fundamental rights of some of our most vulnerable communities, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and immigrants.
Early into the Administration, Republicans attempted to push through the SAVE Act, which changed voting requirements, adversely impacting married women, transgender individuals, and immigrants. When this happened, I fought to keep constituents informed of their rights and voted NO.
Even though abortion is enshrined in Maryland's constitution, I've pushed further to preserve access to reproductive care for military families, stood in solidarity with protestors after the Supreme Court ruling on Planned Parenthood, and continued to advocate for full reproductive rights for women across the nation by co-sponsoring Women's Health Protection Act and voting against any legislation attacking reproductive freedom.
Elfreth stands in solidarity with protestors after a Supreme Court ruling removing Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood.
As a member of the Equality Caucus, I've opposed the Trump Administration's ending of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline's specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth that nearly 1.5 million people have turned to. Whether it's giving a speech on the House floor or sharing hotlines on social media and resources on my website, I will continue to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals have the tools they need.
Elfreth joins fellow House Representatives and the Trevor Project fighting for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline's specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth.
With the Administration's particularly appalling actions against immigrant communities, I've responded accordingly, taking a firm stance to support immigrants across the country. When Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported in error to a Salvadoran mega-prison, I joined the Maryland delegation in demanding that he be immediately returned to the state. After other members of Congress were unconstitutionally denied access to an ICE detention center, I pushed for answers on this violation of congressional oversight authority from the Administration and I've. After President Trump opened the outrageous and inhumane "Alligator Alcatraz," I demanded that the Trump Administration close the detention center immediately.
Elfreth and Maryland colleagues outside the Baltimore ICE detention facility after being turned away.
If you ever need help with an immigration agency or you or your family have been impacted by the President's weaponization of ICE, you can always speak to a member of my team at (410) 832-8890. Additionally, you can refer to my webpage with resources for immigrant communities in the Maryland Third Congressional District if you need further guidance.
Bringing the Fight to the Courts
As your member of Congress, I have joined fellow House Democrats in filing countless amicus briefs on your behalf. From defending taxpayer privacy to fighting President Trump's illegal firings, I will use every tool available to amplify your voice.
As of August 2025, 371 lawsuits have been filed by people all across the country directly challenging Trump's agenda. These lawsuits have secured more than 200 court orders from federal judges that block or pause the Administration's lawless and unconstitutional actions.
Fighting To Protect Your Health Care
Elfreth meets with UMBWMC and their first responder partners.
President Trump and Congressional Republicans have stripped away health care for over 10 million Americans – the largest cut to health care in American history. For months, I've combated myths Republicans are spreading and raised awareness about how detrimental large-scale reductions to the program would be to everyone, not just to beneficiaries, through my Medicaid Moment series. In Maryland, I met with state hospital leaders to discuss how cuts to Medicaid would impact their life-saving work. When it comes to President Trump's Big Ugly Law, I spent over 20 hours, even staying overnight at the Capitol, fighting the bill the first time it was proposed, and nearly 30 hours when the bill came back to the House, fighting against the legislation.
Delivering Where The Administration Has Failed You
Although he made many promises during his candidacy, the Trump Administration has unsurprisingly dropped the ball on several of the policies he pledged to deliver on the campaign trail. For instance, instead of lowering costs, the Administration has done the exact opposite – establishing tariffs and other reckless economic policies that are actively hurting our middle-class families and raising prices for consumers.
I'm committed to delivering economic policies that work for every American. That's why I joined my colleagues in launching the Lowering Cost Caucus with one goal: fighting for common-sense policies that will make it easier for our neighbors to not just get by, but get ahead. I've also joined my fellow freshman Democrats in urging Speaker Johnson to bring forward legislation that lowers costs for average families.
Elfreth speaking at the launch of the Lowering Cost Caucus.
The Fight Is Not Over
When I took my oath of office, I swore to serve the Constitution – not a President – and I plan to uphold that oath. I am fighting for Marylanders and the services they depend on, for federal workers, for immigrants, for our LGBTQ+ neighbors, for Planned Parenthood and reproductive rights, for people who rely on Medicaid and Medicare, for the most vulnerable in our society. Marylanders deserve the tools not just to get by but to thrive – to reach that goal, the fight is just beginning.
As always, my team and I are eager and available to help with any issues you are experiencing with a federal agency. You can request assistance HERE or by calling 410-832-8890. Finally, I welcome your emails, thoughts, and calls to my office at 202-225-4016, which help inform my work every day.
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