By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Monday’s meeting in which about 25 people showed up in Waraw to voice concerns about federal spending cuts to a congressional staffer led to a statement being issued by Congressman Rudy Yakym’s office.
The meeting at Warsaw City Hall was intended to offer constituency services to residents, but those who showed up wanted to talk policy and demanded Yakym hold a town hall so residents could convey their concerns.
The situation became heated for a short while with both sides saying they felt disrespected.
Brain Smith, a former chair of the Kosciusko County Democratic Party, said he didn’t like how Yakym’s district director talked to the group.
“I thought it was incredibly disrespectful to the veterans in the room, the way they were talked to — the way I was talked to at the beginning by the district representative — just a very unprofessional way and unbecoming for somebody who works for me,” Smith said.
Yakym’s office issued a statement reiterating his “dedication to transparency” in serving all constituents.
“Congressman Yakym and our team are committed to accessibility and transparency, hosting monthly mobile office hours across the district so every constituent can connect and be heard,” said District Director Griffin Nate.
The statement was issued without directly mentioning Monday’s meeting.
“We’re here to serve and represent all Hoosiers in the Second District — but we won’t stand for leftist lies meant to disrupt, disrespect, and intimidate,” he added.
Much of the concern voiced at Monday’s meeting focused on Elon Musk who is serving as a key figure in the new Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE.
News Now Warsaw asked Nate Monday if Yakym is bothered by the approach used by Musk.
“The Congressman supports President Trump and his initiatives to bring efficiency to our government,” Nate said.
“The American people made it clear in November that we are sick and tired of waste, fraud and abuse within our federal government. That’s why they gave President Trump and the House Republicans a mandate to eliminate that waste, fraud and abuse.”
