CAPAC Calls out Trump’s Broken Promises to Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) held a press conference highlighting how President Trump and his administration have broken their promises to Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) across the country.
“President Trump vowed to lower costs ‘on day one’ and cut electricity costs ‘in half.’ Instead of fulfilling his promises, Trump is waging reckless trade wars that are driving up prices, ripping healthcare away from millions in our community, and doubling down on cruel immigration policies that tear families apart. These are the wrong priorities, and we need to chart a better path forward,” said CAPAC Chair Grace Meng. “That is why CAPAC is fighting to support thriving families and communities; advance equity and defend our rights; and promote economic opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. At this critical moment in our nation’s history, we will not back down. We will keep fighting for an equitable, affordable America where the American Dream is within reach for everyone.”
“President Trump ran on making life better for Americans. He’s done the exact opposite. Asian American small business owners in my district are struggling because of Trump’s tariffs. South Asian communities are being targeted by hateful rhetoric from the President and his allies. We are at a crossroads as a nation, and we need to keep fighting for the values that make our nation great,” said CAPAC Whip Ami Bera.
“It is clear that this administration has no regard for the health, safety or wellbeing of AANHPI communities. Trump imposed sweeping tariffs that cost families $1,700 per year, gutted Medicaid, and deployed thousands of masked, untrained ICE agents to detain people based on nothing more than how they look or speak. In 2025, arrests of Asian immigrants nearly tripled and 25% of deaths in ICE custody were Asian immigrants. So let’s be clear, working families are paying more and patients are paying more, all while billionaires get tax breaks and ICE uses its slush fund to kill innocent people on our streets. We will keep holding this lawless administration accountable every single day, and we will keep winning,” said CAPAC Chair Emerita Judy Chu.
“In Trump 1.0, we saw concerted attacks on the Asian American community, including attempts to blame COVID-19 on Chinese people which led to a massive increase in anti-Asian hate. What we are seeing under Trump 2.0 is an all-out assault on the values and institutions like diversity, opportunity, and the rule of law that were so instrumental in bringing our families to this country. Every single thing the administration is doing is to create a nation where people like Stephen Miller feel comfortable and where a lot of us are not part of the conversation. It is an attack on us, but also on the America that we know and love,” said CAPAC Executive Member Dave Min.
Video of the press conference is available here. Photos are available here.
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