‘We have to lift our voices up’: Krishnamoorthi addresses concerns about Trump agenda at town hall
Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg told an audience of about 300 constituents at a town hall Wednesday evening how he plans to address policies of the Trump administration he disagrees with.
The event at Roosevelt University’s Schaumburg campus had only been publicized in the congressman’s e-newsletter beginning Monday, and on-site signs identified it as being for registered attendees.
Krishnamoorthi pledged in November to support Trump where he could, but Wednesday he said those avenues have been few.
“Though my candidate didn’t win, the current president won fair and square,” Krishnamoorthi said. “Unfortunately, I’ve had to oppose him on a number of different policies.”
These include executive orders attempting to reverse birthright citizenship, creating rolling freezes throughout the government, the dismantling of the Department of Education, the methodology of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and any suggestion of favoring Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, he said.
“It emboldens (Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” Krishnamoorthi said of the stance Trump has taken. “When you show weakness, it encourages aggression.”
He also believes Chinese President Xi Jinping is closely watching current developments to judge the likelihood of the U.S. abandoning other democratic allies like Taiwan.
Krishnamoorthi emphasized he agrees in principle with a ceasefire in Ukraine, but noted details of the agreement matter in a way Trump doesn’t seem to be acknowledging.
He identified four things he feels need to be done to express resistance to the Trump policies with which he disagrees. These include continuing to shine a light on them, pursuing litigation, using votes in Congress for leverage on such issues as the raising of the debt ceiling and holding all accountable for the actions of the federal government.
“This is not a political statement,” he said of the last point. “You have to hold me accountable. This is extremely important. I need your help on this.”
He likened Trump’s tactics to that of a bully and said only lack of fear stops bullies.
“We have to lift our voices up,” Krishnamoorthi told the crowd. “I know some people are scared about lifting their voices up. Don’t be scared.”
An emotional audience were with the congressman on almost every point, but a few felt he wasn’t pushing back against Trump and his policies enough.
Krishnamoorthi narrowed his ultimate concern to the president’s recent defiance of court orders, which he said undermines the rule of law enabling a democracy. Krishnamoorthi said Trump has to respect all levels of the judicial system, not just the Supreme Court.
“That’s just basic,” he said. “It’s what separates us from other countries.”