On Jan. 30, Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., criticized the Trump administration for its foreign policy decisions, immigration crackdown and cuts to federal funding for universities at a Rockefeller Center for Public Policy event.
About 80 people attended the event in Filene Auditorium, with 30 people joining virtually, according to Rockefeller Center program officer Madison Piel. The event — which was part of the Rockefeller Center’s “Law and Democracy: The United States at 250” series — was moderated by sociology professor Kristin Smith and Dartmouth Democrats president Quinn Allred ’26.
Pappas began the event by criticizing the Trump administration’s foreign policy. He said that he believed the White House should have obtained “authorization” from Congress before ordering a military operation to capture Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.
“I believe that people, through their elected representatives, should be making decisions about the use of military force and war and peace,” Pappas said.
Pappas said the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is “incredibly fragile,” adding that he felt that the Netanyahu government in Israel was “not a reliable partner.”
“We need to get to these next stages where the Israeli military will fully pull back, where Hamas will lay down their arms, and then the global community can work on how to set up civilian society and make sure that there is opportunity for people in Gaza,” Pappas said.
On domestic policy, Pappas said that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were responsible for “lawless actions” in Minneapolis, Minn. In January, two American citizens were killed in Minneapolis by ICE agents, according to the New York Times.
“There is no legal authority that says that you can shoot protesters in the streets,” Pappas said. “What we are seeing is something that really takes your breath away.”
Pappas added that he is working with state and local officials to “prevent” the construction of an ICE detention center in Merrimack, N.H. In December 2025, the Washington Post reported on a Department of Homeland Security document which included plans for a detention center in Merrimack.
“New Hampshire believes in local control, and [DHS is] totally disrespecting the ability of communities to understand, to be good stewards and actually to keep their community safe,” Pappas said.
DHS has not confirmed any plans for a facility in Merrimack.
Discussing higher education, Pappas said he felt that the Trump administration’s cuts to federal funding for universities were “authoritarian.”
“They’re looking to exert power, not just over the federal bureaucracy, but really over civil society too,” he said.
Pappas added that Americans should “work to support” their universities.
“We thrive as a free and open society because we have universities, because we have a marketplace of ideas out there, and that’s something that we should always cherish,” Pappas said.
Pappas concluded by telling students to “come visit us in Washington,” adding that “young people need to be part of the conversation.”
“You're going to be dealing with the consequences and the decisions that are being made in Concord and in Washington far longer than me or anyone else, and so we want you at the table,” Pappas said.
In an interview with The Dartmouth after the event, Allred said he thought Pappas “handled the questions really well.” He noted that this was Pappas’s first visit to Dartmouth.
“[He came] to a place he’s not used to and handled questions,” Allred said. “I thought it was very good.”
Attendee Tyler Sanders ’29 said the congressman was “very well-spoken.”
“I think Pappas did an excellent job of answering the questions in a respectful way,” Sanders said.
Attendee Ian Beierle ’29 said “it was really cool” that the College hosted a sitting U.S. representative.
“I thought the event offered a unique insight into politics,” Beierle said.
