Protesters call for Guthrie to attend town hall

Published 1:20 pm Wednesday, March 5, 2025

By Jack Dobbs

The Bowling Green office of U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Bowling Green, once again was the sight of a protest Wednesday as about 30 demonstrators with the local group SOKY Indivisible gathered amid high winds and low temperatures to voice their concerns with what they see as inaction from Guthrie against recent moves by the Trump Administration.

“We believe that the Constitution is the cornerstone of our democracy,” demonstrator Tom Morris said during the protest. “Today, this cornerstone is crumbling. Brett Guthrie, a supposed conservative, swore an oath to defend the Constitution … but has not lifted a finger to do so.”

Demonstrators were concerned by what they describe as an assault on Medicare and Medicaid. Talk has been circulating in Washington over possible cuts to the services by the Trump administration.

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Guthrie serves as the chair for the House Energy and Commerce committee, which oversees Medicaid.

Other concerns included threats to Social Security, the administration’s positions on the war in Ukraine and tariffs, which went into effect against Canada and Mexico this week.

The group has asked for a town hall meeting with Guthrie to express their concerns. A letter  sent to Guthrie signed by 61 people “urgently” requests a meeting.

“We want to hear from him in person,” Morris told those gathered.

The letter placed a deadline of March 4 for a response from Guthrie. If they don’t hear from Guthrie, the group will host its own town hall at 5:30 p.m. March 23 at at the Capitol in Bowling Green, according to the letter.

The group will send an invitation to the meeting to Guthrie “soon.”

Demonstrator Sonja Griffith carried a sign that read, “Medicare pays for nursing homes.” She said she used to work at a nursing home and, “as a rule,” many residents and their families could not afford care.

“The only way for the nursing home to pay for the resident was through Medicaid,” she said, adding that hospice care is also covered under Medicaid.

She said healthcare costs, especially as people age, becomes harder to afford. She said she would like to see Guthrie be “brave enough to stand up” to Trump adviser Elon Musk, who oversees the Department of Government Efficiency.

“Brett Guthrie’s committee is directly responsible for Medicare and Medicaid,” she said. “I encourage Brett Guthrie to do the right thing by the American people.”

Cathy Severns, a coordinator for the protest, said Guthrie “seems to be supporting” everything going on in Washington.

“It’s congress’ responsibility to do (this),” she said. “If you want to change who gets Medicaid … you go through congress. That’s the law.”

Severns arrived at the protest in a chicken costume. When asked why, she said because Guthrie’s “a chicken.”

“He won’t face his constituents,” she said.

Guthrie’s office issued a statement to the Daily News after publication, which says Americans nationwide and residents of Guthrie’s district delivered a “mandate” to President Donald Trump.

“I am confident that my work in Congress, and as Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, will help to deliver President Trump’s America First agenda and restore fiscal responsibility to the government,” the statement reads. “While I was in Washington, D.C. voting on important legislation, our staff diligently met with constituents; and we appreciate all who came by to share their thoughts.”

Jack covers city government for the Daily News. Originally from Simpson County, he attended Western Kentucky University and graduated in 2022 with a degree in journalism.

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