Local reps challenge Trump ahead of address

Solano County's congressional members take pointed stances on immigration, trade ahead of State of the Union

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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As President Trump prepares to deliver his State of the Union address, both of Solano County's representatives in Congress are forcefully speaking out - with U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson inviting a Napa City Councilmember as his guest and U.S. Rep. John Garamendi leaving his seat empty to honor a deported former constituent.

Why it matters

The actions by Thompson and Garamendi highlight the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic members of Congress over issues like immigration enforcement and trade policy, which have had significant impacts on local communities.

The details

Thompson, a senior Democrat, has been critical of the administration's immigration policies and what he describes as abuses of power. He has invited Napa City Councilmember Bernardo 'Bernie' Narvaez, an Iraq War veteran and immigrant, to attend the address. Meanwhile, Garamendi is leaving his seat empty to honor Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old grandmother and former constituent who was detained and deported by ICE last year despite having no criminal record.

  • President Trump is set to deliver the State of the Union address on Tuesday night.
  • Harjit Kaur was detained by ICE and deported to India on September 19, 2025, at around 2 a.m.

The players

Mike Thompson

A U.S. Representative for California's 4th congressional district and a senior Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee.

Bernardo 'Bernie' Narvaez

A Napa City Councilmember, Iraq War veteran, small business owner, and immigrant.

John Garamendi

A U.S. Representative for California's 3rd congressional district and a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.

Harjit Kaur

A 73-year-old grandmother and former constituent of Garamendi's who was detained and deported by ICE last year despite having no criminal record.

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What they’re saying

“The president needs to explain to the American people what he's doing about the rogue ICE situation. He needs to explain to the American people what he's planning to do in Iran. He needs to be honest and open with the Congress of the United States of America and with the people of the United States of America.”

— Mike Thompson, U.S. Representative (thereporter.com)

“As an immigrant, Marine veteran, small business owner, and father, I see firsthand the hardships families and small businesses are facing today. Attending the State of the Union as Congressman Mike Thompson's guest gives me the opportunity to help bring those real-life challenges to light and represent the voices of our Napa community on a national stage.”

— Bernardo 'Bernie' Narvaez, Napa City Councilmember (thereporter.com)

“I am dedicating my State of the Union guest seat to my former constituent, 73-year-old grandmother Harjit Kaur. She is unfortunately unable to attend because she was cruelly deported to India in the dead of night. This seat is for her and every person across the country who's been caged, detained, and killed at the hands of Trump's secret police force. Let her empty seat be a stark symbol of the human cost of Trump's cruel deportation agenda.”

— John Garamendi, U.S. Representative (thereporter.com)

What’s next

The president's State of the Union address on Tuesday night will be closely watched for any new policy announcements or statements regarding immigration enforcement and trade.

The takeaway

The actions by Thompson and Garamendi underscore the deep partisan divides in Congress over the Trump administration's immigration policies and their real-world impacts on local communities. Their symbolic gestures aim to bring these issues to the national stage and challenge the president's rhetoric and agenda.