Trump protesters in Longview aim to protect Medicaid, democracy, due process

Samuel Kent, of Clatskanie, was born with a hearing impairment, and said he relies on Medicaid and Social Security Disability Insurance.

The 33-year-old attended the anti-Trump rally on Saturday in Longview to denounce President Donald Trump and his administration's plan to shrink the federal government, with possible cuts to both programs.

The protest came a few weeks after the inaugural Longview Hands Off! rally, and coincided with protests across the nation, from midtown Manhattan, to downtown Portland, to the front of the White House.

Hundreds gathered at R.A. Long Park around noon, carrying signs to protect Medicaid, Social Security, due process and democracy.

Experts say Medicaid cuts are likely.

In February, the Republican-majority House passed a budget resolution instructing the Energy and Commerce Committee — which oversees Medicare and Medicaid — to propose $880 billion cuts over the next 10 years.

The Trump administration has publicly backed Medicare — the federal health insurance for ages 65 and older — leaving experts like the Kaiser Family Foundation, or KFF, to deduce that Medicaid — which covers medical costs for people with limited income — is on the chopping block.

That's why Kent said and he and his mom Kim came to Longview Saturday, after Kim Kent said the pair learned of the closer option than their original plan of Astoria's rally.

"I want to protect Medicaid," he said.

The Trump administration has also shown public support for Social Security, though leases for dozens of Social Security offices have been terminated under the Department of Government Efficiency.

A March 25 presidential executive order also plans to phase out the federal government's use of paper checks, which would include Social Security payments, with exceptions for those without access to electronic payments.

Since January, Trump has signed 129 executive orders, according to www.federalregister.gov, while former President Joe Biden, by comparison, signed 162 over his four years in office.

John Tanner, of Silver Lake, attended the Longview rally on Saturday to fight against such actions, which he equated to a ruler with absolute power.

"I'm concerned about someone creating executive orders, as if they are a dictator, with no input from Congress," he said.

Juice Quiroz, 16, of Longview said he has similar fears, particularly in regards to Kilmar Abrego Garcia — a Salvadoran citizen who lived in Maryland and was deported to an El Salvador prison in what the Trump administration has called an "administrative error."

"If he's willing to deport a man who did nothing wrong, ... how do I know it's not going to be me, or a friend, or anyone I love next?" he asked.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has similar views, writing in the court's ruling in Abrego Garcia's case: "The government's argument, moreover, implies that it could deport and incarcerate any person, including U.S. citizens, without legal consequence, so long as it does so before a court can intervene."

Despite a Supreme Court ruling that ordered the Trump administration to help facilitate Abrego Garcia's return, the administration has said it has no power to bring him back.