by Donald Eng
HARTFORD, CT – Independence Day may not be for another three months, but the state Capitol on Tuesday echoed with the familiar language of opposition to tyranny.
“Our president has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good,” said state Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, D-Trumbull. “He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states, for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners … He has made judges dependent on his will alone. He has erected multitudes of new offices and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.”
The language, taken from the Declaration of Independence, was no accident, Gadkar-Wilcox said.
“We don’t have to wait until the Fourth of July to understand the significance of these acts,” she said. “They’re unconstitutional and un-American.”
Gadkar-Wilcox led a group of about a dozen legislators who gathered in the Hall of Flags to announce their support for the American Bar Association’s call to support the rule of law.
“Today we see an executive freezing federal funds for education and healthcare aimed at protecting our most vulnerable communities; closing branches of government established by a representative Congress; defying the rulings of the judicial branch and calling for impeachment for any assertion of judicial independence against the will of the executive; departing lawful residents without any due process,” Gadkar-Wilcox said. “Our president cannot be a tyrannical king. Let us not repeat our own history.”
State Rep. Craig Fishbein, the Wallingford Republican and the Judiciary Committee’s ranking House member, later issued a statement.
“The message coming from Democrats today is once again one of division and disruption,” he wrote. “To state that Connecticut Republicans are somehow complicit in creating or supporting a fascist takeover of the federal government, or that we are ‘un-American’ for not sharing their opinion of President Trump, is offensive and demands an apology.”
Fishbein’s comment referred to a question at the end of the event, where Gadkar-Wilcox was asked whether she believed Republicans were facilitating a fascist takeover. She expressed disappointment that no Republicans had attended, then said she knew of several Republicans inside and outside the building who disagreed with Trump’s actions but did not speak up.
“So in that sense, I would say you are complicit in the actions of the federal executive when you remain silent,” she said. “So for those who disagree and remain silent, I’m talking to you.”
Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, also issued a statement saying Democrats were “too busy firing up their political base to actually govern.”
Candelora said Connecticut is struggling “because Democrats stopped being policymakers and decided they’d rather be activists.”
David McGuire, executive director of the Connecticut ACLU, speaks during a press conference at the State Capitol on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Credit: Donald Eng / CTNewsJunkie
David McGuire, executive director of the Connecticut ACLU, said every legislator had taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, and every lawyer takes an oath to uphold the rule of law.
“You have to question why not every legislator lawyer is here today,” he said.
McGuire called for more than symbolic announcements and declarations.
“We need real laws passed here that are thoughtful, bold, and decisive,” he said. “We at the ACLU of Connecticut look forward to continuing to work with the legislature and legislature-lawyers here to pass meaningful reform and protect the rule of law here in Connecticut. History is watching.”
State Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, and Rep. Matt Blumenthal, D-Stamford, talked about legislative efforts underway in Connecticut.
Stafstrom, the House chair of the Judiciary Committee, said that panel has already voted out some significant legislation to stand up for the rule of law in Connecticut.
“We are making sure that those medical providers who are providing access, whether it be to reproductive or to gender-affirming care legally in Connecticut, are not being subjected to actions outside our state,” he said. “Today the Judiciary Committee is about to take up legislation that is going to further protect immigrant communities in our state by strengthening our Trust Act and making sure that law enforcement and the courts in this state are working on prosecuting crimes that are committed in this state, and our resources as a state are not being diverted to deporting hard-working folks who are just trying to raise their family (and) do their job.”
State Rep. Matt Blumenthal, D-Stamford, speaks at a press conference at the State Capitol on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Credit: Donald Eng / CTNewsJunkie
Blumenthal agreed. He cited the recent executive order on elections, which he said would disenfranchise about 10% of the population, including those who have taken their spouse’s name.
“Are we going to obey that illegal executive order on the GAE (Government Administration and Elections) Committee?” he asked. “Absolutely not. We are expanding access to the ballot here in the state of Connecticut through early voting and absentee voting.”
He also addressed reproductive rights and the LGBTQ community.
“We are expanding our first-in-the-nation shield law so it protects even more of our residents,” he said.
State Sen. Herron Gaston, D-Bridgeport, speaks during a press conference at the State Capitol on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Credit: Donald Eng / CTNewsJunkie
State Sen. Herron Gaston, D-Bridgeport, cited attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and referred to his election with 78% of the vote as “a Black hire.” He said DEI efforts, which he called a civil rights issue, were on the chopping block.
“We will not go back. We will not rewind the clock, for we believe that this country is inclusive of everybody,” he said.