Delaware’s most powerful take questions at town hall in Wilmington

Hundreds of people joined Delaware’s most influential political figures at Cab Calloway School for the Arts in Wilmington for a town hall, where resistance to the Trump administration and the war in Gaza took the spotlight.

Around 900 tickets were moved for this event, which took place in the school’s theater. The All-Democratic lineup of U.S. Sens. Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester, U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride, Gov. Matt Meyer and Attorney General Kathy Jennings spoke a lot about being united in strong opposition against the Trump administration.

Not everyone got their question in, but the over two-hour event addressed how each figure would oppose President Trump and his administration most controversial policies, like cuts to federal funding and mass deportations. The war in Gaza and the related stances of the First State’s federal delegation was another hot topic, with multiple people interrupting the town hall to press them about their stances.

“I’ve never been through 100 days like the ones we are going through right now,” Coons said in his opening remarks.

McBride and others describes their resistance strategy

McBride, in her first term as the state’s lone representative in the House of Representatives, gave a rundown on how she will resist Trump administration policies she disagrees with.

When asked whether she would support Articles of Impeachment against Trump, she said she believes he has violated the law but did not commit to it. She said turning the public against the current administration is more important than impeaching him within his first 100 days. She called persuading the public is an art form that takes time and requires her to “fight smart.”

“I’ve got to be honest with you,” she said in response to a question on impeachment, “the worst thing we can do is slow down public opposition to this President.”

A little while after, one man questioned the federal delegation on their protesting techniques, asking if they would even get arrested at a protest. Blunt Rochester said it’s all about finding a way to protest in a way that works for you. She said she supported Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, in his 24-hour Senate floor marathon by praying with him beforehand and monitoring his health throughout.

Coons said he does his best to serve in Delaware and be able to fulfill his duties in Washington D.C., but has no plans of getting put in handcuffs.

“I don’t think it is a great idea for me to get arrested on your behalf, because I don’t trust this president to let me out,” he said.

AG Jennings has joined other Democratic state attorneys general in countless lawsuits against Trump administration policies.

“There are attorneys general in our country who believe in the rule of law, and they have been so courageous,” she said.

Pro-Palestine protesters disrupt town hall, rattle crowd and politicians

In a scene that has become familiar to political figures who have spoken in favor of Israel and their current operation in Gaza, protesters have interrupted regular proceedings to press them on their stance on the ongoing conflict.

Overall, three protesters were removed by police officers, after some warning, for their disruption. They were not arrested or taken away in handcuffs, rather they were simply thrown out of the building. The congressional delegation answered their concerns but supported Israel’s “right to exist and defend itself” while calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in devastated Gaza. They also supported “self-determination” in Palestine.

“There are deep and strong feelings about Israel, Hamas and Gaza in our community, but frankly, screaming at me doesn’t move me in a positive way,” Coons said.

McBride spoke about her opposition to people getting arrested or deported for supporting Palestine in the conflict.

“They should not face deportation when they peacefully express that opinion,” she said. “And I will not let anyone disingenuously use a conflict in Middle East to abridge the rights of anyone in this country.”

Meyer makes commitments on state level on aid in dying, voting rights and reproductive freedom

Not everything asked at the town hall was for national or international problems. Some were for controversial topics on the state level.

Meyer committed to signing House Bill 140, which would allow medical aid in dying. That bill is past both chambers of the state legislature.

He supported two other bills that would amend the state’s constitution, which he has no vote in. One expands access to absentee voting ballots, and the other would enshrine reproductive freedom into the state constitution.

He was also asked about high energy prices in Delaware. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Delaware consumes 100% more energy than it produces. He said he is working on a plan to get Delaware running on renewable energy.

“We have a plan that we’re finalizing now so that not tomorrow, not next year, but within a decade, it will go to 100% renewable Delaware produce energy,” he said at the town hall.

He has made affordable housing a large part of his platform, but disagreed with enacting rent control caps on lease renewals at the town halls.

“I’m open to creative solutions,” he said. “I think putting a straight up cap will limit the amount of affordable housing that developers want to build, and will create more problems than it actually solves.”

Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.