Political Watch: November 12, 2026

• U.S. Reps. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) and John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove) co-wrote a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, insisting that he abandon any plans to use ships for deportation operations. They cited “enormous operational, safety, and legal challenges” and warned that deportations by sea would “take days” and “require many security personnel and cost the taxpayer millions of dollars.” The legislators also described the issue as raising questions about the misuse of government and military resources. “Reporting indicates that the training ship Golden Bear has been identified as a possible ship,” the Oct. 27 letter stated. “Built over 40 years ago, this aging vessel’s primary purpose has been for research and training. For the last three decades, the Golden Bear has served as a floating classroom at Cal Poly Maritime Academy for cadets seeking careers in the maritime industry, the military, and related fields.

This excerpt comes from the named source. Read the original for the full reporting.