Team USA curler Rich Ruohonen speaks out against Trump’s ICE crackdown: ‘It’s a tough time’
MILAN, ITALY: Team USA curler Rich Ruohonen has become the latest Olympian to use his voice against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. The Minnesota-native claimed that people of America are facing “a tough time” amid the ICE crackdown that saw the loss of two lives — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — last month.
“I'd like to say I'm proud to be here to represent Team USA, and to represent our country. But we'd be remiss if we didn't at least mention what's going on in Minnesota,” Ruohonen said at a press conference.
Rich Ruohonen calls out 'unreasonable searches and seizures'
The personal injury lawyer also stated that it’s “a tough time” for everybody. “This stuff is happening right around where we live,” he claimed.
Ruohonen then went on to add that the US’ constitution “allows us freedom of speech. It protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures. And makes it that we have to have probable cause to be pulled over.”
“What's happening in Minnesota is wrong. There's no shades of grey. It's clear,” he asserted.
Rich Ruohonen praises Minnesota people
The 54-year-old two-time national champion also hailed the people of Minnesota for coming out on the streets and protesting against the crackdown.
He noted, “I really love what's been happening there now. With people coming out, showing the love, the compassion, the integrity and respect for others that they don't know, and helping them out. We love Minnesota for that... we love our country.”
“We're playing for the US We're playing for each other, we're playing for our family and our friends that sacrificed so much to get here today,” Ruohonen shared, before adding, “What the Olympics means is excellence, respect, friendship. We all, I think, exemplify that.”
“We are playing for the people of Minnesota and the people around the country who share those same values, that compassion, that love, and that respect,” he concluded.
Hunter Hess shows disappointment toward ICE crackdown
Like Ruohonen, skier Hunter Hess also slammed the president’s policy against immigrants. He had said during a press conference that he was experiencing “mixed feelings” as he was about to represent the US at the games.
“It’s a little hard. There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t. I think for me it’s more I’m representing my friends and family back home, the people that represented it before me, all the things that I believe are good about the US …” he stated.
However, later, Hess appeared to tone down his stance after being called a ‘real loser’ by Trump. In his recent post on Instagram, he wrote, “I love my country. One of the many things that makes this country so amazing is that we have the right and the freedom to point that out.”
“The best part of the Olympics is that it brings people together, and when so many of us are divided we need that more than ever. I cannot wait to represent Team USA next week when I compete,” Hess added.
