Senator-elect Ruben Gallego uses the dreaded 'B' word for Donald Trump as he lays down early gauntlet

Gallego's outspoken stance on Trump underscores his commitment to progressive groups.

PUBLISHED 2 DAYS AGO

When asked to elaborate on his perspective on Trump, Gallego did not mince words.

Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona Senator-elect Ruben Gallego did not hold back in his first in-depth interview since his victory over Republican Kari Lake. Speaking to CBS, Gallego, offered candid reflections on the state of national politics, his thoughts on President-Elect Donald Trump, and the priorities he hopes to tackle in the Senate.

Gallego’s interview aired nationally, positioning him as a significant new voice among Latino leaders in Congress. His outspoken stance on Trump underscores his commitment to representing a more progressive perspective within Arizona, a state that has seen its share of divisive politics, particularly on issues of race and immigration.

Arizona Democratic Senate candidate U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) (L) walks with his wife Sydney (R) outside a polling place while greeting voters on November 05, 2024 in Guadalupe, Arizona. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

In the interview, Gallego addressed his campaign, which focused heavily on issues such as healthcare, job security, and immigration reform. His victory over Kari Lake, a prominent figure aligned with Trump and his policies, was viewed as a bellwether for Arizona's shifting political landscape, despite the defeat of some Democratic candidates in other areas.

When asked to elaborate on his perspective on Trump, Gallego did not mince words, affirming his belief that "bigotry has no place in the White House". His decision to call out Trump in such stark terms was laying down a marker not only with the president-elect, but also to his own constituents.

The interview also touched on Gallego's plans to engage with Arizona voters who may have supported Trump in previous elections. Acknowledging the deep frustrations that many voters feel, Gallego emphasized that his goal is to reach across divides and address the concerns of all Arizonans, regardless of political affiliation.

US Border Patrol agents take asylum seekers into custody after they crossed a remote area of the US-Mexico border on September 19, 2024 near Jacumba Hot Springs, California. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

“There is a lot of frustration with voters who feel like they’re working hard but not seeing the rewards,” he noted.

The conversation also reflected on the inaction at the border. Gallego criticized the current administration’s handling of immigration and expressed a commitment to finding balanced solutions that improve border security while respecting the needs and rights of migrants.

While Gallego celebrates his win, his defeated opponent Kari Lake has remained notably silent on whether she will concede. Lake's past refusal to concede in the 2022 gubernatorial race left a lingering tension that many Arizonans will be watching as the Senate-elect prepares to take office.