‘Latinas for Trump’ Call Out Trump
Florida Republican state Sen. Ileana Garcia, a longtime ally of President Trump and a co-founder of Latinas for Trump, is openly raising concerns about how the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy is being communicated — warning that internal missteps could carry political consequences in the upcoming midterm elections.
Garcia, who has consistently supported tougher border security and the president’s efforts to restore order at the southern border, placed responsibility for the current controversy not on Trump himself, but on senior White House adviser Stephen Miller.
In an interview with The New York Times, Garcia said she believes the president’s electoral standing could be harmed if advisers continue to escalate rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement.
“I think the president risks losing the midterms because of Stephen Miller,” Garcia said, emphasizing that messaging — not policy goals — is the core issue.
Support for Border Security, Concern Over Rhetoric
Garcia made clear that she remains aligned with Trump’s broader immigration agenda, including border enforcement and deportations of individuals in the country illegally. However, she said the tone and public statements coming from senior officials have crossed a line that could alienate voters, particularly in swing districts.
Her remarks come amid heightened scrutiny following two deadly incidents in Minneapolis connected to immigration enforcement operations. Over the weekend, federal agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti during a protest related to immigration actions. The shooting followed an earlier fatal incident this month involving an ICE officer in the same city.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Pretti attacked federal law enforcement officers during the confrontation. Miller later described Pretti as a “would-be assassin” who attempted to kill officers — language that quickly drew national attention.
White House Distances President From Statements
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt sought to clarify the administration’s position, noting that President Trump had not personally used that characterization and stressing that investigators should be allowed to determine the facts before conclusions are drawn.
Garcia responded forcefully to Miller’s comments in a post on the social platform X, warning that politicizing ongoing investigations could undermine public trust.
“Distorting this tragedy and rushing to judgment contradicts the American values this administration campaigned on,” Garcia wrote. “Alex Pretti was neither a terrorist nor an assassin.”
She added that allowing senior officials to issue inflammatory statements before investigations are complete could have lasting consequences — both legally and politically.
“This is not what I voted for,” Garcia said.
A Loyal Ally Raises a Red Flag
Garcia played a key role in mobilizing Latina voters for Trump during the 2016 election and later served in the Department of Homeland Security during his first term. While she has remained supportive of strong immigration enforcement, she has previously criticized certain tactics, describing them as unnecessarily harsh even when aligned with policy goals.
Her latest comments underscore growing concern among some Republicans that internal divisions, messaging errors, and high-profile controversies could complicate the party’s efforts heading into November.
With control of Congress at stake, observers say immigration will remain one of the most closely watched — and politically sensitive — issues of the midterm cycle.
