By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

The Center of the American Experiment, a Twins Cities-based think tank, heard from U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach Thursday evening, March 20, at Thumper Pond in Ottertail. Topics included the rural economy, agriculture and government regulation. Fischbach also talked about her priorities for the 119th Congress. 

Several Fischbach supporters were in attendance. This was not a town hall event, but a private gathering hosted by the American Experiment. Protesters found out about the event well in advance of the gathering.

Event organizers inside Thumper Pond, despite close to 200 outside protesters of Fischbach for her support of Donald Trump and Elon Musk, said they appreciated hearing from Fischbach. About 70 people paid $10 each to attend the event, and about seven were asked to leave the conference room for being disruptive.

Protesters, outside near the entrance to Thumper Pond, held signs in opposition to Fischbach, Trump and Musk and Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump and Musk have taken aim at many government departments and services.

“We all want to cut down on government waste, but the cold-hearted chainsaw approach by Musk is too much and too fast with little rationale behind what he and Trump are doing, with support from Fischbach,” said one protester.

Although The Center of the American Experiment officially is nonpartisan, most of its opinions are conservative, the reason that the Center appeals mainly to Republicans.

Fischbach has defended the firings of federal employees and said “cutting the size of government is never easy. I think what we’re getting at is the bloated federal bureaucracy and there needs to be cuts.”

However, several of DOGE’s moves have been blocked by federal judges.

Many of the protesters outside Thumper Pond said it is time to fight back against Trump, Musk and Fischbach. 

“Our democracy depends on it, and that’s why we are here this evening,” said one protester.

Others at Thumper Pond on March 20, and protesters all around the country, say that Trump’s administration is in a power grab mode, shredding laws, defying courts, handing the country’s financial system to a multi-billionaire (Musk) and emboldening Russia in its war with Ukraine.

Protesters also point to questionable tariffs and harm to consumers along with Trump and Musk slashing funding for programs such as child nutrition, health care for millions of people, domestic violence shelters and veterans’ programs. Fischbach supporters, however, say the basics of needed funding will be preserved.

“We need to fight back,” said one protester, “The stakes couldn’t be higher.”

Two of the protester signs outside Thumper Pond read, “No Kings” and “Support our Constitution.” They were among the many signs held by protesters near the south entrance, with support of many people driving past who honked their horns.