Minnesota Senator Tina Smith says the ongoing government shutdown, rising political division, and renewed challenges to the Voting Rights Act are exposing what she calls “a defining test for American democracy.”
Speaking on Radio KFAI 90.3 FM’s The Conversation with Al McFarlane, Smith called for citizens to remain engaged even as political battles in Washington deepen. The senator appeared on the long-running community affairs program to discuss national unrest, civic participation, and the future of democratic institutions.
Smith began by describing the No Kings demonstrations, a national wave of rallies organized to defend democracy and oppose authoritarianism. “Organizers told us there were more than one hundred thousand people just in the Minneapolis rally,” she said. “Some had never been to a protest before but felt called to be there. The energy was positive and patriotic. People understood that power comes from the people.”
The senator said she viewed the weekend as evidence that many Americans, regardless of political background, want to reclaim a sense of unity and shared purpose. “It was a reminder of what our country should look like,” she said. “Democracy means participation, not passivity.”
What caused the shutdown
Turning to the federal government’s partial shutdown, Smith explained that the standoff is rooted in a disagreement over health care subsidies that help working families pay for insurance. “The government is shut down because Republicans are refusing to extend the tax credits that make health insurance affordable,” she said. “People buying coverage on the exchanges are seeing their premiums double or triple.”
Smith argued that the situation reflects a broader pattern of misplaced priorities. “Last summer, they passed their big partisan tax bill that benefited the wealthiest Americans and corporations,” she said. “But they left working families behind. We are simply asking them to come to the table and negotiate to keep health costs from skyrocketing.”
For many listeners, her remarks connected a technical policy issue to a lived reality of affordability. Minnesota’s insurance markets, like those in other states, have faced repeated cost fluctuations since the Affordable Care Act reshaped the system.
Use of Federal force
Smith also spoke about the role of the federal government in domestic security. Referring to recent incidents under President Donald Trump’s administration, she said, “They are sending masked federal agents into apartment buildings and taking people off the street, Black and Brown people, not white people. Turning the United States military against its own citizens is illegal.”
She compared the moment to an earlier period in history. “It is ironic,” she said. “The Insurrection Act was once used to protect civil rights protesters. Now it is being used to intimidate them.” The senator also then clarified that the National Guard is meant to assist during natural disasters or emergencies, not routine law enforcement. “The Guard is trained for disaster response,” she said. “Using one state’s Guard in another for political reasons is unprecedented.”
The Voting Rights in Question
Smith said the same erosion of democratic norms is now playing out in the courts. She referred to a case before the U.S. Supreme Court that could weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which has for decades prevented racial discrimination in redistricting. “The Court is questioning whether it is still illegal to gerrymander based on race,” she said. “If that section is weakened, it would dilute Black votes and erase representation in many states.”
For readers less familiar with the issue, Section 2 has been a key safeguard ensuring that minority voters can elect candidates of their choice. Smith warned that removing or weakening it could roll back decades of progress. “Without those protections, people will lose their voice,” she said.
She also suggested that some recent deployments of federal forces could serve as a “rehearsal” for potential voter intimidation in future elections. “There is real concern this could happen again in 2026,” she said.
A call for voter engagement
Despite her criticism of Washington politics, Smith ended on a note of resolve. “Voters deserve leaders who are bold and willing to challenge a system that is rigged against regular people,” she said. “Trump wants us exhausted and ready to give up. We cannot let that happen.”
Her message to Minnesotans was clear. “No bully is ever as strong as they pretend,” she said. “This is the moment for all of us to use our power, our votes, and our voices to protect democracy. Power comes from the people. That is how this country moves forward.”
Host Al McFarlane thanked Smith for her service and for joining the program, which has long served as a platform for civic reflection in Minnesota’s Black and multicultural communities. The senator’s appearance, he said, reminded listeners that democracy requires both vigilance and participation.
Watch the full interview with Senator Tina Smith on Insight News MN’s YouTube:
