Moolenaar addresses constituents through virtual Town Hall
U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Caledonia), who represents Michigan’s 2nd Congressional district, read and addressed questions that were sent in by constituents in a virtual Town Hall meeting Thursday. The congressman shared his support for the Trump Administration and why he believes the president's several executive orders will benefit Michigan.
This comes shortly after Moolenaar declined to participate in a town hall that drew over 200 citizens and was sponsored by the national progressive organization Indivisible. Recently, Republicans have been advised to avoid in-person meetings and to find other ways to connect with their constituents.
“Our district covers 20 counties across Michigan,” Moolenaar said. “This forum gives us the opportunity to speak with as many of you as possible from the comfort of your own home without the need for lengthy travel.”
Moolenaar opened the virtual meeting by listing the proposals he has been working on for Michigan.
“I've introduced multiple pieces of bipartisan legislation,” He said. “This includes bills to support our veterans by creating fellowship programs for them, entering the workforce and ensuring veterans in rural communities have access to patient advocates to assist them with the VA (Veteran Affairs).
“My bipartisan bill, the No Gotion Act, would prevent companies based in China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea or any of their subsidiaries from receiving green energy tax credits,” Moolenaar continued.
He stated he is also working on different bills to combat tuberculosis outbreaks, the cost of labor for farmers and “unfair” trade practices with the Chinese Communist Party.
During the Q&A, Moolenaar was asked to respond to several actions taken by the Trump Administration, including the tariffs placed on trade partners, cuts to federal programs by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the deportation of illegal immigrants.
When asked if he supports Trump’s recent plan to eliminate the Department of Education, Moolenaar said the decision will be great for Michigan.
“Michigan will gain funding by dismantling the federal Department of Education because those dollars that are in Washington, D.C., circulating within the bureaucracy, (are) going to be coming out to the states,” he said. “I'm excited to see that happen.”
A citizen from Plainwell asked if he supported the president's goal of annexing Canada. Moolenaar said that America couldn't make Canada a state and that he supported placing reciprocal tariffs on them.
“I think President Trump has joked about Canada being a 51st state,” he responded. “It's something that’s obviously not going to happen, but I do think that we need to make sure that Canada and the United States have a reciprocal trade relationship.”
Throughout the meeting, constituents asked for his response on Trump’s use of executive orders and the relationship between the president and the other branches of the government.
Moolenaar made it clear that he supports many of Trump’s decisions but that there are checks and balances.
“He is a strong leader and he is someone who takes action,” Moolenaar said. “We have checks and balances in this country. No one branch of government dominates another branch.”
Moolenaar was asked his thoughts on Billionaire Elon Musk being a key advisor to Trump and his leadership of DOGE. He called Trump a disruptor and said he supports the president's decision to work with Musk.
“He wanted to right-size the federal government,” he said. “He brought Elon Musk, who has a record of turning around and elevating business enterprises … He's asked him to look at efficiencies and look at how the federal government could better serve the people.
"I support that effort.”
However, when asked about the Atlantic journalist being included in a group chat with government officials about war plans, he said that the situation was “an unfortunate thing” and is “looking forward to the results of an investigation.”
In an email to CM Life, Chair of the Second Congressional District Democratic Party of Michigan John Helge said he was pleased to hear Moolenaar was holding a town hall but was disappointed that the congressman was the only one able to speak.
"I was extremely disappointed that there was no opportunity for him to interact directly, hear the voices, and see the faces of his concerned constituents," Helge wrote. "All who attended were muted with no video or text chat features available. ... The questions that were submitted in advance were well conceived, but when they are read by one of his staff, they lacked the true emotion."
He said the party is preparing for 2026.
"There was nothing new from Moolenaar revealed in this 60-minute exercise in futility," Helge wrote. "I can assure Mr. Moolenaar that he will face a viable candidate and a vigorous, well-organized campaign focused on defeating him in 2026."
