Rep. Mark Messmer agrees with Trump... except on tariffs

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - Indiana’s 8th District U.S. Representative Mark Messmer had mostly positive things to say about President Donald Trump’s actions so far in his second term.

The newly elected Congressman says the President has delivered on promises to secure the southern border. Messmer says illegal border crossings are down 97%.

He also agrees with the elimination of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the government. Messmer says he prefers a colorblind, merit based hiring system.

But when asked about the tariffs against Canada and Mexico, which went into effect Tuesday morning, Rep. Messmer questioned the long-term impact that will have on the U.S. economy.

“Mexico and Canada are our biggest trading partners,” Rep. Messmer said. “So if it’s a tool that he’s using to get them to the table for negotiation on other issues, I hope it ends quickly because I don’t know if it’s best for our economy to be targeting our biggest trading partners.”

Messmer added that he believes tariffs will impact agriculture, something that could be concerning with Southwest Indiana and the number of farmers.

“I don’t know that long-term tariffs are going to be helpful with the retaliatory tariffs,” Messmer said. “It’s going to impact our agriculture industry especially, but it will touch all segments of the economy.”

Rep. Messmer will attend President Trump’s joint address of Congress Tuesday night. It will be the first speech of this magnitude he will attend in the role of a Congressman.

Tariffs may be a point of conversation in the President’s speech. Messmer says he’s looking forward to being there, and a positive message.

“I expect to hear a good update on the unleashing of American energy independence, reducing inflation and the President’s goals for that, and projecting American strength across the globe,” Rep. Messmer said.

Rep. Messmer says it’s been a comfortable transition from working in the Indiana State Congress to the federal level. He says he’s hard at work on a number of measures, including work with the Department of Energy and looking at costs, changing upcoming restrictions surrounding water heaters and extending the farm bill to protect agriculture.

“If we don’t have stability in our food supply, it’s a national security issue,” Rep. Messmer said.

He pointed to the threat of Avian Flu, dry seasons and warm seasons as reasons for extending the farm bill and supporting agriculture.

Messmer says he’s also working on defense spending and support, along with measures of education, like school choice and more apprenticeships and career tech programs for students.

“I’ve enjoyed the first couple months, and look forward to being an effective voice for the 8th district and all of southwest Indiana,” Messmer said.

President Trump will deliver his joint address live on NBC at 8 p.m. Central Time Tuesday night.

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