Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) faced a fiery crowd at a town hall in Kearney, Nebraska, on Thursday, defending his record and criticizing aspects of Donald Trump’s trade policies as he bucked Republican leadership’s preference for virtual events.
During the hourlong session, Ricketts fielded tough questions from constituents on hot-button issues like federal workforce cuts, Trump’s tariffs, veterans’ benefits, and the future of Social Security and Medicare. The event, often punctuated by interruptions and chants like “Tax the rich!,” mirrored the heated receptions other Republicans, including Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Roger Marshall, have received at recent in-person town halls.
Ricketts Pushes Back on Trump’s Tariffs
When questioned about whether he would stand up to President Trump, Ricketts said he has already voiced concerns privately, particularly about the economic harm caused by Trump’s tariffs.
“I had conversations with Cabinet members about the impact on Nebraska. It’s a $100 million hit. Layoffs are a problem. You’re hurting Americans, especially Nebraskans,” Ricketts said, drawing boos from the audience.
Despite his criticisms, Ricketts reaffirmed support for Trump’s broader goals, suggesting that tariff disruption was necessary to “level the playing field” against global trade imbalances.
Standing Up to the White House
Pressed on whether he fears retaliation from Trump, Ricketts emphasized his willingness to raise objections directly with administration officials.
“I used a couple of examples where I reached out to Cabinet members about the consequences of their decisions,” Ricketts said. “I will continue to be who I’ve always been — you saw me for eight years as governor, and two years as a senator.”
Spending Cuts, Social Security, and Medicare
Ricketts also defended the GOP’s spending priorities, assuring voters that Social Security protections remain intact.
“Protecting Social Security is one of President Trump’s priorities,” Ricketts said, facing fresh boos. He clarified that under current law, Congress cannot cut Social Security through the reconciliation process.
Still, Ricketts indicated the Senate would push for even deeper cuts to discretionary spending than the House has proposed.
“This is going to take a while,” he said, predicting that budget reconciliation may not be finalized until fall — just ahead of the expiration of the Trump-era tax cuts at the end of December.
More Town Halls Planned Across Nebraska
Despite the contentious atmosphere, Ricketts announced plans to hold two additional town halls on Friday, in Valentine and Scottsbluff, making him one of the few Senate Republicans to continue holding in-person events during the congressional recess.
Ricketts’s willingness to confront tough questions — and at times, criticize elements of Trump’s economic policy — highlights the tightrope many Republicans are walking as they head toward the next election cycle.
