WINONA LAKE — Talk of President Donald Trump’s policy in Syria and a looming impeachment inquiry dominated US Rep. Jim Banks’ town hall in Winona Lake, Thursday morning, Oct. 10.

Rep. Banks met with about 60 people at the town hall.

Constituents of Indiana’s 3rd congressional district voiced their concerns to Banks on the ongoing situations in the Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan.

Banks said he has a great deal of concern over the events in Syria where Trump’s decision to remove US forces earlier this week quickly led to attacks by Turkey inside northern Syria. The move has been widely criticized by Democrats and Republicans.

“I have voiced my opinion to the administration and to others that abandoning our Kurdish allies is the wrong move,” said Banks.

Banks credited the Kurdish military for their aid in combating ISIS, and holding captive 12,000 ISIS fighters. He said he sees concern over the possibility of an ISIS resurgence if Turkey takes further action against Syria.

Banks mentioned briefings he has read from the Trump administration claiming that the removal of US forces from Syria only applies to 50 troops currently deployed in the region. He said that the removal may not be as consequential as it has been  portrayed. Yet he maintains that he disagrees with the administration’s actions.

In fact, Banks said he supports sanctions against Turkey, in the event the nation invades northeast Syria. Those sanctions are scheduled for discussion during the upcoming congressional session.

Banks also heard some criticisms.

“Soldiers do not go to war for their mom, apple pie and the girl they left behind,” said Todd Fruehling, a former U.S. military public affairs officer who attended the town hall.

“When we backed out troops from Syria, we sent a message to the rest of our allies that we will back out on them, too,” Fruehling said.

Regarding Ukraine, Banks praised the aid the Trump administration provided to the Ukrainian government.

Banks cited Trump providing lethal aid while noting the Obama administration sent blankets when asked for aid by the Ukrainian government.

“This administration has provided more aid to Ukraine than any other administration ever did,” Banks said.

Banks said he does support more investigation by the Trump administration into corruption within the Ukrainian government.

“If there is any belief our aid was used for corrupt purposes, that should be looked into further,” Banks said.

On the subject of Afghanistan, Banks said, “I served there, I wait for the day when our troops can come home.”

The Republican Congressman from Columbia City addressed concerns over the emerging impeachment investigation against Trump.

He said he wants the House to vote on the subject of an inquiry.

“The president has yet to be indicted for any high crimes and misdemeanors, he said.

“Right now we are going to hold six committee meetings to go out and find these high crimes and misdemeanors,” Banks said.

So far, those in Congress looking into the matter have been “putting the cart before the horse.”

“Whether you like President Trump or don’t, you should have the opportunity to vote for or against him in the election,” Banks said.

“If a party is working to prevent the will of the people to speak in an election, then that is an attack on our democratic process perhaps we’ve never seen before,” Banks said.

One man in the audience asked if Banks is hearing from constituents about impeachment.

“I don’t feel an outcry from my constituents for me as your representative to go to Washington and impeach the president,” said Banks.

“In one year you will have the opportunity to vote this president out of the office or for another four years,” Banks said. “That’s the way it should be, not to impeach the president because you don’t like him.”

Some of those attending the town hall warned of the lack of action by the Republican Party to act as a guard rail against some of what Trump has been doing. They feel the party has not made that a priority.

By not speaking out, one man said, “you encourage some of his excesses.”

“That almost brings me to tears,” said a woman regarding the Republican party’s lack of reaction to Trump’s actions.

“It feels like the Republican Party has sided with President Trump and has forgotten about us and the rest of the world,” a woman said. “What are they doing for us?” 

In other matters, Banks spoke of the benefits of the proposed United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal that would replace NAFTA and would impact the local agricultural and manufacturing.

“The 3rd district has the most manufacturing jobs per capita of any district in the country,” said Banks. “The USMCA would create a situation to incentivize, companies to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.”

“No one would benefit more than our farmers,” Banks said.

Focusing on impeachment takes away from progress in trying to pass the USMCA legislation, he said.

Banks touted some of Trump’s accomplishments, including a low unemployment rate, his appointment of conservative Supreme Court justices and the reauthorization of the Veterans Choice Program.

“Trump oversaw the largest military expansion since Ronald Reagan,” he said.

Other topics of discussion:

• Banks said he has been in regular contact with Mayor Joe Thallmer and the FAA about improvements at the Warsaw Airport, including lowering power lines.
• Banks supports a balanced budget in response to the expanding national debt. Banks said the actions of the Democratic party have stifled the passage of three different balanced budgets submitted by President Trump.
• On the late Dr. Klopfer and the fetal remains from Indiana found on his property in Illinois, Banks said a joint effort has been established between himself, Rep. Jackie Walorski, Sen. Todd Young, Sen. Mike Braun and Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill to further investigations.
• Winona Lake Town Councilman Rich Swaim questioned Rep. Banks on the possible reduction of funding for the U.S. Department of Education. “I do believe that one of the biggest issues is that we have too much control at the federal level of education,” said Banks. “That control should be decentralized back to local school districts and local leaders where it belongs,” Banks said.