Voices of Concern, Calls for Action
Representative Obernolte's Mobile Office Hours in Twentynine Palms, March 20, 2025
On the first day of spring, around 50 constituents gathered for Congressional Representative Jay Obernolte’s mobile office hours, eager to voice their concerns about critical issues affecting their lives. While the representative was not in attendance, his representative, Laura Villa, took notes. The conversation that followed was passionate, touching on topics ranging from Social Security and veteran services to national park funding and broader concerns about democracy and governance.
The large attendance for the representative’s office hours—which usually draws a handful of residents struggling with navigating government bureaucracy—mirrors the increased scrutiny of and press about town halls that have have turned angry and raucous, including Rep. Obernolte’s town hall in Yucca Valley on February 22 (“Town Holler: Rep. Obernolte Meets Resistance”).
Although mobile office hours provide an opportunity for constituents to voice their concerns, the resounding sentiment from this meeting was that real representation requires more than a proxy taking notes. The people present were looking for leadership that not only listens but acts on their behalf. Whether on issues of Social Security, veterans’ services, national parks, democracy, or education, the message was clear: their voices matter, and they expect to be heard.
City Manager Stone James attended some of the meeting, noting that he had met with Rep. Obernolte this week to highlight the concerns of veterans and other issues troubling City residents. Councilmember Octavious Scott was also present but did not speak.
Social Security and Medicare: A Lifeline Under Threat?
One of the most poignant moments of the meeting came from a woman battling Stage 4 colon cancer. Relying on Social Security Disability and receiving a mere $15 in monthly food assistance, she emphasized the urgent need for stable and secure funding for these vital programs.
I paid into [Social Security] while I was working for many years. I don’t want to have to worry about whether my check is going to come every month when I have bigger things to worry about—like my health.
She also voiced concerns on behalf of her elderly Marine veteran neighbor, who struggles to navigate Social Security’s increasingly inaccessible bureaucracy. With offices closing and phone lines often unresponsive, she fears for those who cannot advocate for themselves in the digital age.
In response, Ms. Villa assured the attendees that the budget reconciliation process does not allow for Social Security or Medicare cuts.1 However, this assurance did little to ease the anxiety of many present, particularly given the $800 million cut to health services almost certainly meaning sizable cuts to Medicaid in the Republican House budget. Constituents demanded concrete actions from Rep. Obernolte, urging him to publicly and unequivocally oppose any reductions to these critical programs.
Concerns over the future of Social Security and Medicaid continued to be central to the discussion throughout the meeting. “Will our representative stand up for us?” asked a local mother caring for her adult daughter with Down syndrome. Her daughter relies on Social Security and Medicaid for both medical insurance and daily living assistance.
The fear that these essential services could be cut or privatized under political pressure has many citizens on edge. “Are we going to let politicians destroy the safety net for millions of Americans?” another speaker asked.
Veteran Services
Veterans in attendance expressed deep frustration over the lack of accessible services. Rob Wanless, a retired Marine who said he is 60% disabled, highlighted the difficulties veterans face in obtaining assistance.
If we don’t catch the temporary hours in Joshua Tree, we have to drive over an hour to get help. The largest Marine Corps base in the world, and we don’t even have a VA rep anymore.
Another veteran expressed her anger of cuts to services to veterans, including destaffing the Veterans Crisis Line:
And as far as going to the veterans before four years ago, I almost killed myself talking to a VA rep because they said that I didn't qualify for assistance for my PTSD. Luckily, I got a hold of somebody else, but I was visibly shaken and ready to kill myself…. I probably would have. Seventeen veterans commit suicide every single day in this country, and now you're stripping the VA?
Ms. Villa acknowledged the issue and noted that Rep. Obernolte had recently discussed it with military representatives. However, attendees pressed for more than just discussions—they wanted action. The absence of a dedicated VA representative in Twentynine Palms was cited as a glaring oversight that needed immediate attention, especially with ongoing federal budget cuts threatening further reductions in veteran support services.
National Parks: Staffing Shortages and Maintenance Concerns
Concerns over Joshua Tree National Park and other protected lands also took center stage. One constituent pointed out the contradiction in promoting seasonal hiring while full-time park rangers remained without work.2
“The park is already operating with a diminished staff,” he stated. “How does hiring seasonally solve the larger, systemic issue of underfunding and hiring freezes?”
While Ms. Villa mentioned that Rep. Obernolte supports increased hiring authority for the National Park Service, she did not provide a definitive plan for addressing the staffing shortages that continue to plague protected lands.
Democracy and Government Accountability
Beyond local concerns, broader frustrations about governance and political integrity surfaced. One attendee criticized Rep. Obernolte’s voting record, accusing him of misleading constituents about his positions.
“I’ve seen his record. I know what he’s done,” she said. “He says one thing and does another.”
Cybersecurity concerns were also raised, with one cybersecurity professional warning about the risks of mishandling personal data within federal agencies.
“How can we trust that our Social Security and tax information is safe if the people handling it don’t follow basic security protocols?” she asked.
Immigration Challenges
One veteran shared a deeply personal and heartbreaking story about his wife, a Chinese immigrant facing deportation despite following legal processes.
“They pulled her business license, her work visa, her driver’s license,” he said. “She came to this country seeking refuge, and now they’re sending her back to a place where she’ll be persecuted.”
His plea underscored the difficulties faced by immigrants navigating the U.S. legal system, especially when policies shift unpredictably.
One speaker, who identified himself as a full-blooded Native American, voiced his distress over the state of the country. “I hear the stories, and I'm so upset how this country is going to pieces,” he said. “Where’s the fairness? I don’t see it. And to be honest, it’s both parties.”
The attendees grew restless as his comments voiced grievances but did not seem to contain any questions for Rep. Obernolte. Nonetheless, despite disagreeing with the gentleman, they gave him space to speak:
But one thing people don't haven't mentioned this since President Trump has been President, as nobody's mentioned about illegal aliens. And here's my point. I go to the welfare office. Half is in Spanish. We go to Social Security. Half is in Spanish. I thought he was going to eliminate this, but he hasn't.
Although he was one of few people who did not seem frustrated with the decimation of the federal government and services to Americans, he did not make a strong case for supporting the current administration’s efforts, and he sat down without asking any specific questions to convey to Rep. Obernolte.
Education: The Future of Rural Schools
The discussion also touched on the Department of Education’s future, with Anna Stump, a board member from Copper Mountain College questioning what would happen to Pell Grants should the department be dismantled.
“We have over 1,100 students receiving over $6.5 million in Pell Grants. If the Department of Education is disbanded, what happens to that funding?”
Another speaker expressed his outrage that as the meeting took place, the Department of Education was being dismantled.
And how is that supporting our rural schools? Because we're all rural up here, this is the livelihood for all of us in the future.
The National Debt and Economic Policy
A larger concern was raised about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its handling of federal job cuts. One participant emphasized that cutting jobs without proper audits has led to unintended consequences. “The proof is in their reversals—firing key personnel and then realizing they were essential. Congress should be handling this review, not an unelected entity.”
Another pressing topic was the national debt, which has now surpassed $37 trillion. “It’s unsustainable,” one speaker declared. “So why are tax cuts for the wealthy being extended while services for the working class are being slashed?”
Many attendees agreed that economic policies should prioritize the needs of everyday citizens rather than corporations and the wealthy elite.
A final call to action came from a long-time resident who criticized the lack of thorough investigation in governmental decisions. “If they ran businesses like they run the government, they would be bankrupt in minutes.” She pointed to the firing of military JAG (Judge Advocate General) officers, inspector generals, and other key oversight personnel as evidence of reckless decision-making.
Some attendees expressed the view that without proper oversight, laws become meaningless. “We need enforcement, not just words on paper,” another speaker added. “Right now, it feels like you can pick and choose which laws apply to you.”
A Call for Fairness and Action
The meeting concluded with a shared sense of frustration but also determination, demanding fairness, transparency, and accountability. Whether it’s healthcare, economic policy, immigration, and protection for the transgender members of our community.
Participants struggled but mostly succeeded in keeping their questions and statements civil, expressing strong emotions and frustration. And many thanked Ms. Villa for being present and listening to their concerns.
What are your thoughts? Have you experienced similar challenges with government agencies, healthcare, or economic policy? Let us know in the comments below.
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Like many of the administration’s actions, cuts to Medicare and Social Security are a moving target and, as many conjecture, may change over the next few weeks.
As of this writing, the National Park Service has been authorized to rehire the nearly 1,000 probationary positions that were cut from National Parks nationwide on February 14. Despite this restitution, parks still face many challenges.
I want to thank The Desert Trumpet for such a great article. I was there and you covered everything. Thank you so much!