Jessica Anne Gorman, the mother of Sheridan Gorman, sharply rebuked Democratic lawmakers who back sanctuary city policies on Thursday, accusing several members of showing disrespect during a congressional hearing about her daughter’s death.
Gorman spoke in Washington, DC, at a gathering honoring victims of violent crime. Her 18-year-old daughter, a Loyola University Chicago student, died in March 2026.
Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel, border czar Tom Homan and drug czar Sara Carter were among the senior Justice Department and administration officials attending the event.
Sheridan Gorman was fatally shot while visiting friends near a Chicago pier and lighthouse.
Jose Medina, a Venezuelan national accused of entering the United States illegally, faces a murder charge in connection with her death. Medina had previously been released following a shoplifting arrest in Chicago.
In her remarks, Jessica Gorman condemned Democratic lawmakers who support policies that limit federal immigration enforcement against people living in the country illegally.
She also described her experience testifying before a House hearing on sanctuary policies, saying she heard lawmakers laughing as she discussed the loss of her daughter.
“And I thought to myself, ‘Boy, the hits just keep on coming,’” Gorman said Thursday.
Gorman directed particular criticism at Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., who said during the hearing that it was the fourth session of its kind and suggested there were “many other things we could be doing.”
“We were all insulted by Democrat Representative Jayapal telling me — literally telling me — and all the other angel families in the room … with disdain on her face, that there’s other things they could be doing except listening to four sessions,” Jessica Gorman said.
“They give us five minutes to tell our daughter’s story,” she continued. “Our dead children’s story. She listened to four before mine. She didn’t want to listen to another. And, honestly, I think she should listen to everyone in this room.”
Gorman further alleged that Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-NY, fell asleep during the proceedings.
Stephen Federico, whose daughter Logan Federico was killed while visiting friends at the University of South Carolina, also addressed attendees at the event.
Federico expressed deep anger toward what he described as failures throughout the criminal justice system.
Alexander Dickey, 30, a career criminal with dozens of previous arrests, is accused of shooting Logan Federico during a home invasion.
“My daughter wasn’t killed by an illegal alien,” Stephen Federico said. “She was killed by a home-grown American career criminal that we arrested 39 damn times. And he was on the street. Tell me that makes sense.
“Can anyone tell me, please, how a felon like that is left on the street,” he added. “It’s from fingerprint problems. It’s from process problems. It’s from weak judges. It’s from weak prosecutors.”
Fox News Digital has contacted Jayapal’s office for comment.
