Magaziner Hosts ‘Protecting our Democracy’ Roundtable with Ranking Member Thompson (D-MS), Chair of the January 6th Committee

WARWICK, R.I.  — Today, Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) held a roundtable discussion with Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS-02), who chaired the U.S. House January 6th Committee and is Democratic Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, regarding the importance of protecting American democracy, rooting out extremism, and restoring faith in our elections.

“America’s system of governance, by the people and for the people, is under attack by anti-democracy extremists, and we must all work to protect our democracy in this critical time,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner (RI-02). “This moment demands an ‘all hands on deck’ approach, across every level of government and civil society, and I thank Ranking Member Thompson and the Rhode Island advocates who have been leaders in protecting voting rights and American democracy for joining us today for this important roundtable discussion.”

“I firmly believe that protecting democracy is not just a duty but also a collective responsibility that we all share,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security. “Protecting democracy requires vigilance, engagement, and an unwavering commitment to the principles that uphold our nation. I would like to extend a warm 'Thank you' to Congressman Magaziner for welcoming me to Rhode Island to participate in the ‘Protecting Our Democracy Roundtable.’”

Rep. Magaziner’s roundtable included representatives from Common Cause RI, The Women’s Fund, RI League of Women Voters, Latino Policy Institute, RI Board of Elections, RI Department of State, and more. 

As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence, Rep. Magaziner has been working closely with Ranking Member Thompson to combat domestic violent extremism. Together, they have urged the Biden administration to name a Domestic Terrorism Director, requested the Department of Homeland Security to report on domestic violent extremists’ use of social media and gaming platforms, and called for a briefing from the Department on Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation on threats to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) following bomb threats at HBCUs and an alleged racially-motivated shooting in Jacksonville, Florida.

Both Thompson and Magaziner are original cosponsors of H.R.14 - John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023, to protect Americans’ fundamental right to vote by restoring key protections in the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and preventing restrictive, discriminatory voting laws from taking effect.

Photos from the event can be found here.