Lawmaker says her GOP district not happy with Trump

Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (N.Y.) told CNN that her district isn't happy with President Donald Trump's immigration raids and his proposed war with Europe.

Speaking on Tuesday, Malliotakis agreed with other lawmakers that Americans wanted to see criminals in the U.S. illegally be shipped out, but they didn't want those removed who have long been part of the community.

"People don't want to see some of the ways that immigration is being handled handled," she told host John Berman. "For example, you know, when we have temporary protective status for Haitian communities that are contributing to our health care system here in my district, I have concerns that our nursing homes are going to lose employees come February 3rd. So there's things that need to be done, I think, in a balanced manner."

She hedged her criticism saying that Trump has done some good things over prescription drug prices, but that he needs to return to handling the economy rather than focusing on invading other countries.

"I don't think it's a priority, and that's kind of what I'm trying to say here, is that we need to focus on the things that we've done successfully, like lowering taxes, bringing down inflation rates, mortgage rates. You have gas prices are down about $2.80 here in my district. These are things that people want to see and we're delivering on that. But when you focus on things like Greenland in a way that could be a hostile, I think that that takes away from the successes," Malliotakis explained.

She thinks that going after some of the immigrants doing jobs Americans are key pieces to a stable economy.

"But we need to stay again, stay focused. I wouldn't focus if I were him as much on Greenland. But if I understand his strategic posturing here, it is critical for shipping lanes, for critical minerals. But it needs to be done in a diplomatic way, not with threats," she added.

The U.S. already has a defense agreement with Greenland giving access to shipping lanes and national security. The U.S. also has a Space Force base on the Arctic island, allowing for whatever programs Trump wants to start.

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