“Our entire system is based on the rule of law,” Ricketts said. “I will always uphold the Constitution.”
Voters across the nation have voiced their frustrations during similar town halls. Party leaders have advised Republican officeholders to avoid the events. A month ago, Rep. Mike Flood of Norfolk had a town hall in Columbus that turned rowdy.
Ricketts faced a similar situation in Kearney, where town hall participants peppered the senator with jeers and shouting that drowned out his responses to multiple questions.
Not every question was irreverent. Some were thoughtful, if not challenging.
A man from Grand Island asked when Congress will lift the tax on Social Security. A Hastings man warned that cutting Medicaid would force many rural nursing homes to close.
Retired Kearney banker Mark Sutko warned about cutting consumer protections enacted when he served on the Federal Reserve Board of Kansas City.
“Don’t downsize it; we need to protect everyone here,” Sutko said.
One person asked Ricketts what he believes are the most serious issues facing the U.S.
Ricketts said a serious issue is deterring China from touching off World War III by invading Taiwan. No. 2 on Ricketts’ list is the $36 trillion federal debt.
One person asked “Do you fear political retribution if you stand up to the president?”
Ricketts replied, “If I was concerned, I would reach out to a Cabinet member about the consequences of their decisions.”
Ricketts said Trump faces a difficult task ending the war in Ukraine. “Yes, I support Ukraine. Vladimir Putin is a dictator, and he wants to expand his territory.”
Although the Kearney crowd was at times rowdy, there were eight uniformed Kearney police officers in the meeting room in case things got out of hand.
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Highlighting an obvious disconnect between Ricketts words and his party's disdain for the Rule of Law.
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