Morrison, Ellison warn of ‘unlawful’ federal overreach at town hall

With more than 1,300 people packed into the Hopkins High School auditorium Tuesday night, U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison delivered a clear message: American democracy, under pressure, depends on its citizens to fight for it.

“Our democracy is not yet dead, but it is dying. It is not dead, but we need to act with urgency to save it,” Morrison said, referencing a recent speech by Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, who warned that democracies often erode gradually rather than through a single dramatic event.

“There is strength in numbers. There is strength in community. There is strength in truth,” she added.

This was Morrison’s second town hall since taking office in January. Like the first, held in Bloomington last month, the event was marked by pointed critiques of President Donald Trump’s policies and warnings about the future of constitutional governance.

Morrison, a Democrat who represents Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes Eden Prairie, Minnetonka and Bloomington, hosted the event. She welcomed Ellison, also a Democrat, as a special guest.

The crowd, largely composed of Morrison’s DFL base, was attentive and mostly supportive, though a few Trump supporters voiced dissent. Ellison, a former U.S. representative, kept the tone measured, even when addressing contentious topics.

A warning on voter restrictions

The evening’s most urgent theme: the rule of law – and what Morrison and Ellison described as repeated federal overreach.

Morrison pointed to the recent House passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require documentary proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. She called it a voter suppression measure that amounts to a poll tax.

“It’s a solution in search of a problem,” she said, warning that mismatches between names on IDs and birth certificates – common for married women – could disenfranchise millions.

Ellison called the bill unconstitutional and said he would sue immediately if it becomes law. “The 24th Amendment says no poll tax. The 10th Amendment says the federal government can’t dictate voter qualifications to the states. We will not tolerate this.”

Their criticism comes as part of broader concerns with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new initiative of the second Trump administration. Established earlier this year, DOGE is tasked with cutting federal spending it characterizes as “waste, fraud, and abuse.” Ellison and Morrison said those efforts have resulted in widespread service reductions, especially in Social Security and other federal programs.

Social Security, climate, and DEI concerns

Throughout the 90-minute event, Morrison wove national issues with local stories: Social Security recipients fearing benefit cuts, grandparents struggling with rising prices, and veterans relying on Medicaid. She cast herself as a messenger between constituents and Congress, citing personal letters and voicemails received by her office.

On climate and energy, both officials warned of regulatory rollbacks. Morrison backed a bill by U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum to permanently protect the Boundary Waters, calling it a place “we just shouldn’t mine.”

Ellison said Minnesota, which lacks fossil fuel reserves, should fully embrace solar and wind. “Reality is knocking. Renewables are cheaper than coal,” he said.

Both emphasized the importance of defending DEI – diversity, equity and inclusion – programs, citing attacks on higher education and public institutions.

Ellison compared current lawsuits over DEI to past civil rights battles. “We’ve already litigated this,” he said. “You cannot deny federal funding just because a school embraces inclusion.”

‘No one else is coming to save us’

He also accused the federal government of deliberately weakening the Social Security system by cutting staff and services. “They’re breaking it on purpose – so they can point at it and say it’s broken.”

As the event drew to a close, Morrison and Ellison urged attendees to stay engaged. Morrison encouraged people to run for office, call their lawmakers — and be kind.

Ellison called for civic education, grassroots organizing, and creative activism.

“There’s no one else coming to save us,” Ellison said. “We have to rely on ourselves and each other.”

He suggested starting book clubs or podcasts, writing letters to the editor, and calling elected officials. “Is anyone here artistic? We really need our arts community to get involved right now,” he said. “What about a poetry slam on how executive orders are impacting people’s lives?”

Ellison said public leaders often deal in facts and statistics, but art communicates an essential truth. He also called on mental health professionals, social workers and spiritual leaders to help communities remain grounded and hopeful. “If the last few years have left you feeling anxious or stressed, you’re not alone,” he said. “But what do we do when an entire society is overwhelmed?”

He closed with: “Organize. Organize. Organize.”

Morrison added, “We do better when we all do better. That’s what we stand for in the Third District.”

The meeting, moderated by state Rep. Patty Acomb (DFL-45B, Minnetonka), was part of Morrison’s ongoing effort to meet constituents face to face and answer questions — from voting rights and immigration policy to climate change and bipartisanship.

While political polarization loomed large, both officials insisted that democratic principles – and citizen voices – still matter.

As Ellison put it: “The rights of the American people won’t be saved in a courtroom. They’ll be saved in the hearts of the American people.”