Another U.S. Olympian has publicly criticized President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement actions, expressing his opposition during a news conference Tuesday.
Curler Rich Ruohonen spoke to the media assembled in Italy for the Winter Olympics and shared his feelings about the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, especially in his home state of Minnesota.
Ruohonen stated he was proud to represent the United States and be a member of Team USA. However, what happened in Minnesota with agents pulling people out of their homes and cars was weighing heavily on him and led to him speak out.
“I am a lawyer, as you know, and we have a Constitution, and it allows us freedom of press, freedom of speech, protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures,” Ruohonen said. “It 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 gray. It’s clear.”
Ruohonen is not the only Team USA member to speak out against immigration enforcement actions. During a news conference Friday, skier Hunter Hess also spoke out against what was happening politically.
“It brings up mixed emotions to represent the U.S. right now,” Hess said. “I think 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.”
Hess added that he competes for things that align with his moral values and are important to him.
“Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.,” Hess said. “I just kind of want to do it for my friends and my family and the people that support me getting here.”
Trump has yet to say anything about Ruohonen’s comments but he did mention Hess on Sunday in a Truth Social post.
“U.S. Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics,” Trump said. “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
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