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Protesters gathered outside Meinders Community Library on Tuesday, March 25 while representatives of
Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach held mobile office hours inside. Fischbach has been holding mobile
office hours around the district to give constituents an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
Photo by Kyle Kuphal
About 30 people, many local and some from as far away as Glencoe, protested outside Meinders Community Library Tuesday, March 25 while U.S. Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach’s staff was holding mobile office hours inside.
Fischbach’s staff has been holding the mobile office hours throughout Congressional District 7 to provide an opportunity for constituents to ask questions, provide feedback, or seek help with issues such as passport processing, veterans’ needs, tax refunds, Social Security benefits and connecting with federal agencies.
“We are following the staff around the district to make sure that our voices are heard,” said Jennifer Cronin, chair of the Pipestone County Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party and the Congressional District 7 DFL.
Protesters outside Meinders, according to their signs and comments, took issue with funding and staffing cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency, Pres. Donald Trump, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, comments Fischbach has made about similar protests elsewhere, and more.
“Congress is supposed to provide oversight to the executive and there has not been one committee meeting about DOGE,” said Diane Rupp, of Glencoe. “I don’t think anybody is against reducing fraud and abuse and silly programs or whatever, but Congress created those programs. They’re all riders to appropriations bills, so it seems like Congress should be involved in eliminating them or at least have some oversight to the plan.”
Cronin said other concerns people had were related to the U.S. Department of Defense leaking information about a U.S. attack in Yemen via a group chat, issues at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and cuts and changes to Social Security offices. She said the protesters also wanted to invite Fischbach to a series of town hall meetings on Saturday, April 5 in Detroit Lakes, Alexandria and Willmar.
“We would love to have her come and meet with her constituents and answer questions,” Cronin said.
She said the town hall meetings will include comments by members of the Minnesota Senate and representatives of organizations that have been impacted by DOGE.
Inside the library, protesters and others brought their concerns to Fischbach’s staff. Library Director Jody Wacker said it had been busy morning with people stopping in to see Fischbach’s representatives, and that there had been no issues with the visits or the protesters.