News and Events

Tornadoes, Sheriff Shenanigans, ICE Raids, and How to Get Involved!

Jun 10, 2025

One of the things I knew I would surely miss from the Trump-Free White House era was the lack of shocking news on a daily basis. I miss not thinking about the president and hearing about the most depressing and anti-American shit his administration has undertaken that day. In the weeks leading up to Trump’s inauguration, I did not anticipate just how malignant the actions of the second term would be. We are now full blown into Project 2025, which has the objective of destroying our American system of democracy as we know it.

The president of the United States calls his own American constituents and American judges “scum” when they disagree with his agenda*. J.D. Vance downplays the threats of Russia and China, but warns of the “enemy within” of our friendly European allies and here in the U.S (Gilchrist, 2025). Former Fox news anchor turned Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, decided to end cyber security defenses against Russia (Baldor and Klepper, 2025). These things plus the implementation of Chinese citizen surveillance techniques via Palantir (Allyn, 2025), and the disappearing of immigrants to a torture prison in El Salvador, all indicate that this administration is hostile to our American values and seeks to implement a system of centralized control.

*Image from Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social. Notice how there’s no mention of the Troops in this post. Let’s not normalize this behavior! This is an example of a Memorial Day statement that is more appropriate for an American president:

The whirlwind of news and significant changes do not stop at the federal level! We have plenty of hard times, incompetence, and tomfoolery here at the state and local levels too. With so much going on, I have picked a few recent issues to discuss. At the end, I will list a few upcoming events and opportunities for involvement!

The May 16th Tornado

The biggest news for St. Louis this past month has been the tornado that hit the Northside and the Central West End on May 16th. The devastation is beyond imaginable. From what I have heard from workers, friends, and neighbors who live, work or volunteer in those areas, the video footage and pictures cannot fully capture the destruction that the tornado has left in its path. Tragically, 5 people from the community passed away in the storm.

Recently, I attended the Princeton Heights Neighborhood Association meeting, and the neighborhood stabilization officer told a heartwarming story that I would like to share: His team went door-to-door offering food, services, water, and other assistance. He knocked on one older man’s door who had no power and had a tarp covering the area where his roof was. He came to the door with an oxygen tank, and when offered help, he said “no, please give it to a family who really needs it.” This is a real testimony to the character and spirit of our neighbors on the Northside!

Neighbors, community organizations, businesses, churches, and our local sports teams have all stepped up to help out! FEMA aid for St. Louis was also finally approved for the St. Louis area and for Scott County in Southeast Missouri.

The local community has many ways that you can help with disaster relief. St. Louis City launched St. Louis Recovers, which has resources on how to help with tornado relief, and where to go if you need help.

Sheriff Shenanigans

Let’s talk about the new Sheriff in town, Alfred Montgomery. There is almost too much to unpack here. The Holy Joe Society, which is an organization that supports legal action against impropriety in the Missouri government, is calling for his ousting just 6 months into his term (Burrell, 2025).

In August of 2024, Montgomery beat incumbent Vernon Betts by 256 votes in the Democratic Primary Election. Betts was a controversial sheriff during his tenure, but Montgomery is young and inexperienced, and it showed on the campaign trail. Despite his lack of experience, he still gained endorsements from local elected officials, the St. Louis Young Democrats, and the 4th Ward Democrats. I could guess that Betts’ behavior and missteps played a large role in those endorsements.

Since Montgomery’s swearing in on January 1st, he has gained much attention from the local media, and none of it has been good. Here is a rundown of events:

Impulsive firings added $500,000 to the Sheriff’s growing deficit. When Montgomery took office, he fired seventeen upper level officials in the Sheriff’s Department. This poorly thought out move ended up costing the city nearly a half million dollars in benefits payouts and added to the growing deficit of the Sheriff’s office. According to the Post-Dispatch, “Comptroller Donna Baringer said Friday that the city was required by law to pay the workers their accrued leave when they left the sheriff’s office and that Montgomery should have known that” (Hugelet, 2025).
Montgomery arrests the deputy jail commissioner. In February, Montgomery went outside the bounds of his duties to arrest the deputy jail commissioner, Tammy Ross, when she (rightfully) refused to let him interview a prisoner who was sexually assaulted in the jail. There is currently a lawsuit against the sheriff now, in addition to other lawsuits that he has racked up (Munoz & Davis, 2025).
The Golden Dice Debacle- This is one of the most embarrassing episodes from our sheriff. Former Deputy Sheriff, Tony Kirchner, who was running for 1st ward alderman, was told by Montogmery that he needed to quit campaigning or he could lose his job. When Kirchner asked for leave, Montgomery decided to play “mob-boss”, and presented a pair of golden dice. He told Kirchner that if he could roll a 7, then he could keep his job. Kirchner rolled a 7 but was fired anyway. Now he is suing the sheriff for defamation and emotional distress (Davis, 2025). Sounds like a Trump move, to be honest.
Golf carts, new uniforms, and an SUV! Sheriff Montgomery also spent $4,000 on new uniforms for himself and other sheriffs. He also purchased a $60,000 Chevy Tahoe, and new golf carts for driving around downtown without the permission of the board of alderpersons. He made these decisions, even though the office is $630,000 over budget (Trager, 2025).
The “No Gossip” Commitment**. It seems that in order to get in front of some of the bad press that his office has generated, Montgomery had his deputies sign a “no gossip commitment” to discourage leaks to the media. As Mark Maxwell from KMOV said, “it doesn’t look like it’s working” as the document was immediately leaked to the press (Bassler & Maxwell, 2025).
Threatened to not transport hospital patients if he would not get extra funds- and delivered on those threats! Finally, one of the most egregious offenses from the sheriff was threatening the board of alderpersons to NOT transport inmates to the hospitals if he does not get more money for the budget woes he created. At first he said he was rescinding that letter containing the threat, but then the Mayor received word that he refused transportation for 5 requests on different dates. Mayor Cara Spencer was quoted as having “lost all confidence” in the sheriff at this point (Amelotti, 2025).

**Image from Mark Maxwell’s X page.

Missouri woman from Kennett MO gets arrested by ICE

There is a lot going on in Missouri with stadiums, disaster relief, and the actions to overturn the will of Missouri voters. I think that these things, especially the stadium issue, deserves a deeper dive. Not today, though.

One story I’d like to highlight from Kennett, MO caught national attention. Residents in this Trump-loving town were SHOCKED that one of their own was arrested by ICE officials.

When Trump was first elected, TikTokers created videos of themselves parodying a situation where their foreign neighbors and coworkers get arrested by ICE and they do nothing because the poster did not vote for Trump. The “find out” stage is what they call it when folks vote against their own interests and wind up dealing with the consequences.

Kennett, MO got what they voted for when their neighbor and mother of three, Carol Mayorga, was detained by ICE officials for being out of compliance with her visa. Mayorga was originally from Hong Kong and had been in the U.S. for 20 years. She has established herself in that community, where she was beloved by all. The New York Times reported on this story, and they interviewed many of the townspeople, who were shocked that Trump would deport one of their own! One resident was quoted:

“I voted for Donald Trump, and so did practically everyone here,” said Vanessa Cowart, a friend of Ms. Hui from church. “But no one voted to deport moms. We were all under the impression we were just getting rid of the gangs, the people who came here in droves.”
She paused. “This is Carol.” (Healy, 2025).

Mayorga was released by ICE on June 4th after her town had made noise about her arrest. Kennett, MO overwhelmingly supported Trump during the 2024 election, and despite the arrest of their friend and long-time neighbor, many of them still do. They did not expect ICE to arrest soccer moms! I’m sure they are pleased with the president for releasing their friend, and all is forgiven.

I know my commentary on this is harsh, but at this moment, it is hard to sympathize with these people-though I do sympathize with Mayorga. She does sound like a wonderful woman and someone we do want in this country, but her neighbors still don’t connect their actions in voting for Trump to their friend’s potential deportation. Though we are in the “find out” phase, I don’t think people’s egos or false ideas on immigrants will let them blame Trump or themselves.

From their website:

About this event

NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies. We’ve watched as they’ve cracked down on free speech, detained people for their political views, threatened to deport American citizens, and defied the courts. They’ve done this all while continuing to serve and enrich their billionaire allies.

🚨On Saturday, June 14, we’re taking to the streets nationwide. We’re not gathering to feed his ego. We’re building a movement that leaves him behind.🚨

Join 50501 and Show Me Action for a NO KINGS MASS PROTEST and MARCH for DEMOCRACY on June 14 from 2 PM to 5 PM. We will rally at Kiener Plaza in Downtown St. Louis.

Schedule: - 2 PM: Rally featuring speakers

3 PM: March (Time subject to change) After the march, come back to Kiener Plaza for music and festivities.

Donald Trump thinks his rule is absolute, but in America, we don’t do “kings.” Since the inauguration, the Trump administration and its enablers have operated as though they have a mandate—but they don’t, and never did. They are going to extremes to empower Trump and enrich themselves, while cutting jobs and services for the rest of us. Now, they’re turning Flag Day into a celebration of Trump.

We’re standing together against the abuses of power, cruelty, and corruption. On June 14, we gather to remind Trump and his enablers: America has No King!

Join millions nationwide on June 14 to march against authoritarian politics and billionaire takeover. Be part of a national moment that changes the conversation—and turns the tide.

A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.

Ward Meeting this Thursday, June 12th, 7pm. American Czech Center 4690 Lansdowne. More details below:

Our hearts also go out to the victims of the devastating Tornado on May 16th. I know many of you have been volunteering, donating, and assisting where you can these past few weeks. While it will take years to rebuild, everyone pitching in has made a tremendous amount of difference.

In regard to our future as an organization, we are needed now more than ever. The current administration is only getting worse by the day and our party at times appears rudderless and in need of some serious reforms. The 2nd Ward executive team invites every member and any new members to join us for a summer planning meeting this Thursday, June 12th at 7:00PM at the American Czech Center (usual spot).

We will be discussing growing our membership, events, volunteer opportunities, and how we help shape the future of our City, State, and Country in how we brand ourselves and work to grow the democratic tent.

We hope you can join us!

Thank you,

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published

Nick Kimble
President
Emily Cullins
Committeewoman
Derrick Neuner
Committeeman

I hope to see you at the ward meeting, the protest, or both! And Finally, It’s June! We celebrate Pride and Juneteenth this month!!

News and Events

Tornadoes, Sheriff Shenanigans, ICE Raids, and How to Get Involved!

The May 16th Tornado

Sheriff Shenanigans

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