Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) fired up a crowd at the “Hands Off” rally on Saturday with a sweeping speech that defended democracy, slammed President Donald Trump, and called for statehood for Washington, D.C.
Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland, didn’t hold back when addressing what he sees as a dangerous rise in authoritarianism in America. He blasted Trump’s handling of the economy and his broader record in office.
“We’ve even got the right to call the president deranged for crashing our economy, destroying six trillion dollars of wealth and turning my 401(k) into a 201(k),” Raskin said to loud cheers.
‘Hands Off’ Science, Courts, and Democracy
Throughout his speech, Raskin warned against attacks on science, the courts and democratic institutions. He defended public sector scientists and medical professionals, praising their work in the face of political pressure.
“Let the scientists do their jobs,” he said. “They might even find a cure for that baffling worm and brain disease.” He called it “the most deadly disease of our time, malignant narcissistic personality disorder.”
He took aim at Trump’s attempts to influence the legal system, saying, “Hands off the courts,” and criticized efforts to punish lawyers and law firms representing Democrats.
Backing D.C. Statehood
Raskin also stood up for the over 700,000 residents of Washington, D.C., who currently have no voting representation in Congress.
“They have not stormed the Capitol or tried to overturn an election or hang the vice president. They petitioned for statehood like 37 states before them. They did it the right way,” he said.
He contrasted D.C. residents’ peaceful activism with the violence of Jan. 6, when rioters attacked the Capitol. Raskin rejected Trump’s recent suggestion of compensating those involved in the attack.
“We’re going to back the men and women of the blue, not the planners of the coup,” he said.
Targeting the Billionaire Class
Raskin didn’t spare Elon Musk or the Silicon Valley elite from criticism. He accused them of wanting to control society through data, money and influence, and of pushing anti-democratic ideas.
“These founders of the dark enlightenment… are no match for the founders of the actual enlightenment,” Raskin said. He added that democracy is not for sale, despite what billionaires might believe.
The Role of Congress
In a long section on the Constitution, Raskin reminded the crowd that Congress holds the power to write laws, control tariffs, and spend federal money — not the president or tech moguls.
“Congress is the lawmaking branch, the predominant branch, as Madison put it,” he said. He mocked the idea of “three co-equal branches,” arguing that the Constitution clearly vests more power in the legislative branch.
A Call to Action
He ended on a hopeful note, encouraging Americans to stay engaged and fight back against authoritarianism through organizing and voting.
“Fascism will not be the end of human history. Human history will be the end of fascism,” Raskin said.
Raskin reminded the audience that struggle is necessary for progress and that democracy, though under threat, is worth defending.
“The more difficult the struggle, the more glorious in the end will be our victory,” Raskin said.
The rally brought together voices pushing back on efforts to dismantle democratic protections, and Raskin’s speech was a sharp reminder of what’s at stake in the coming elections.