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"We will not let chaos control us": How Vermont is responding to Trump's executive orders
Megan Stewart, Burlington Free Press, January 31, 2025
"AI-assisted summary: Vermont lawmakers and community leaders are preparing to combat the impact of President Trump's executive orders. There is a bipartisan effort in Vermont to address the potential negative consequences of the executive orders. The executive orders could have a significant impact on Vermont's economy, particularly small businesses and industries reliant on migrant labor."
“U.S Rep. Becca Balint (D-Brattleboro) and state Democratic leaders provided insight into how they plan to protect residents from President Donald Trump's slew of controversial executive orders at a press conference Thursday morning.
“The goal of Trump's sweeping back-to-back executive orders — which range from the freezing of federal funds to mass crackdowns on undocumented immigration — is to sow "chaos," Balint, state leaders and community advocates stressed in multiple press conferences on Jan. 30.
“"We are going to see more confusion," Balint said. "It is a strategy, absolutely, not just to flood the zone so we don't know where to focus but to push the boundaries of what is legal. They are testing the waters to see where the pushback will come."
“But Balint, state leaders like Treasurer Mike Pieciak and House Majority Leader Lori Houghton, and community advocates emphasized on Thursday that they would not let Trump succeed in overwhelming them, and intend to allocate resources and brain power to mitigate harm on all fronts.
“"I will not be distracted by this nonsense," Balint said.
“What's the impact on Vermonters
“Here are a few ways Vermonters have been and could be impacted by Trump's executive orders:
“Proposed tariffs: Trump has threatened to put tariffs on foreign goods, which would deliver a massive blow to Vermont's small businesses who rely on trade with Canada, Pieciak said, even more than larger states who have a more diverse import economy. Small businesses would either have to take on the additional costs from tariffs themselves or increase prices for customers. Tariffs would also exacerbate the state's housing and healthcare crises by driving up material and equipment prices.
“Deportations of undocumented immigrants: Many Vermont industries, from farming to healthcare, "wouldn't survive without migrant labor," Balint said. Immigration lawyer Jill Martin Diaz said that while they are not aware of any ICE raids in Vermont, a few migrant arrests and increased ICE presence across the state have been reported.
“Suspension of refugee resettlement program: The Trump administration recently suspended the U.S's refugee resettlement program, preventing even vetted refugees from beginning new lives in Vermont. Among those impacted are Afghan refugees who helped American troops during the war. They are currently subject to deportation unless they apply for asylum, said Vermont Afghan Alliance Executive Director Molly Gray.
“Federal funding freeze: Pieciak said Trump freezing all federal funds has jeopardized federal agencies, businesses and organizations whose services "keep people fed, keep them safe and ensure that they have access to critical health care they need."
“What actions are lawmakers and community leaders going to take?
“Testing legality: Attorney General Charity Clark said lawyers in her office are reviewing the constitutionality of each executive order and will file lawsuits where needed, like they did after Trump's attempt to revoke Birth Right Citizenship.
“Federal transition task force: Pieciak has created the "Treasurer's Task Force on the Federal Transition," which aims to identify, understand and minimize any economic impact from the Trump administration on Vermont.
“Enforcement of state anti-discrimination laws: Clark said that even if federal policy has changed regarding transgender protections under Title IX, Vermont will continue to uphold state statute prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity.
“ICE raids activities tracker: The Vermont Asylum Assistance Project recently launched a ICE raids activities tracker, where people can anonymously report any information they have about ICE agent sightings and migrant detainments.
“Bipartisan collaboration: Houghton emphasized that state Democratic and Republican lawmakers would set partisanship squabbles aside — such as disagreements on local issues like the 2026 budget — to begin "enumerating those harms" together.”
