John Garamendi, a member of the U.S. Congress representing California’s 8th district since 2009, posted a series of messages on social media reflecting on recent and historical political events.
On January 6, 2026, Garamendi referenced ongoing concerns about honoring police officers at the Capitol. He wrote, “My plaque is still up, waiting for @SpeakerJohnson to follow the law and put up the real one. Do the right thing. Honor our fallen police officers.”
Later that day, he commented on the fifth anniversary of the January 6 Capitol attack: “Five years ago, our capitol was stormed by angry rioters attempting to overturn a fair and free election. We will never forget how close they were.”
On January 7, Garamendi addressed international security concerns in relation to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin: ‘Divide and conquer’ is Putin’s strategy. Putin wants us to attack our allies, because it’ll crack open NATO. Don’t fall right into Putin’s hands. Don’t attack Greenland.”
Garamendi has been an active figure in both state and federal government for decades. Before his current role in Congress, he served in the California State Assembly from 1974 to 1976 and in the California State Senate from 1976 to 1990. Born in Camp Blanding, Florida in 1945 and currently residing in Walnut Grove, Garamendi graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in 1966 and later earned a degree from Harvard University.
