PENDLETON – The execution of a search warrant at former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate was just politics, according to Rep. Victoria Spartz.
Spartz, R-5th District, held a town hall meeting Saturday at the Pendleton Public Library that drew a large crowd.
Spartz and other Indiana Republicans met with Trump just days after the search warrant was served.
“The meeting was scheduled earlier,” he said. “It’s just political and getting the FBI involved is very dangerous. It shouldn’t happen.”
Spartz said the issues could have been resolved without the notification of the search warrant.
“No one should be treated like this,” he said. “Democrats should prove they can govern, which they are not doing a good job of.
“How much energy they spent attacking him,” Spartz said. “I think he’s getting used to it.”
An accounting must be provided as to why the search warrant was requested and issued, he said.
“We cannot have a police state,” he said.
Spartz said people are afraid of the government and persecuting individuals instead of protecting rights.
Responding to a question about requiring gun manufacturers to provide safety features, Spartz said the country can manage with the features already in place.
“The Second Amendment is an important right,” he said of the Constitutional Amendment that allows citizens to own guns.
“There’s a lot of crime and you may not be able to get a police officer in time,” Spartz said. “People have to be able to defend themselves.”
As for the mood in the US Congress, Spartz said the country is divided and no one wants to face the challenges.
“There’s the price of gas, inflation, open borders and war in Europe,” he said. “I blame Congress for not providing checks and balances.
“It’s not healthy to be divided,” Spartz said. “We must be willing to debate the issues and try to find common ground.”
He is working bipartisanly on health care reform measures and on the Judiciary Committee when it comes to government surveillance.
keep going Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.
