Welcome to Catty Chats: claws-out interviews with people trying to make things suck less in new and different ways.

I am thrilled that I get to share with you my conversation with Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen.

He's had a long political career in the Maryland Statehouse, the U.S. House of Representatives, and most recently the U.S. Senate since 2017.

I always thought of him as smart, and capable, and doing and saying all the right things on issues I cared about. And also, I didn't really think about him THAT much. I wasn't worried about what he'd do on this or that vote.

He wasn't a flashy guy. He wasn't a spotlight hog. To me his vibe was "I'm the guy doing my job, you must be the other guy" (shout out to Markie Mark in "The Departed").

And that was GREAT, by the way. Gold stars.

Then something shifted in 2025. And he became a loud and out-in-front advocate at the most important time. When others who had wanted the spotlight BEFORE started to shy away from the spotlight - for their own careers, or their own convenience, or to avoid hearing angry questions from constituents.

Chris Van Hollen was out in front for Kilmar Abrego Garcia; for ICE detainees and anti-ICE protestors; to people who were trying to bring just for the illegality and immorality of ICE and DHS, which continues to this very day. He was and is out in front of all of that, and so much more.

We discuss all things ICE: how we got into the position that we're in; how we can fight; what he has seen in ICE that has changed; what might be coming down the pike; how to be ready; AND WHY IT'S GOOD TO HOLD ONTO THE ANGER.

...he's also pretty funny!

Despite being far more in the spotlight over the last year or more, he's still the guy just doing his job, and if you're asking "who does he think he is?" you must be the other guy.