The Kern County Republican Party hosted its annual Lincoln Day Dinner at the Doubletree Hotel Friday night and Congressmen Kevin McCarthy and David Valadao were in attendance.
This year’s guest speaker was outspoken Fox News host and President Trump supporter Judge Jeanine Pirro.
17 News camera were briefly allowed inside the event but no interviews were granted.
Earlier Friday evening, former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe was fired by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
17 News was able to catch up with McCarthy and asked his thoughts on McCabe’s firing.
“The Attorney General has a right to do that. There’s a lot of questions of what has gone on in the FBI. You also recently found out what McCabe had done in the past. I think accountability is very important especially when it comes to government and transparency. We’re finding out a lot of things happened, and I think this accountability will even have to go further.”
Meanwhile, outside the Lincoln Day Dinner, protesters stood outside in the rain hoping to get the attention of McCarthy. Some were chanting “Town hall now.”
Ann Gallon, one of the protesters outside, says he owes it to his constituents.
“I think he’s hearing too much in Washington, D.C., and I think he should hear from his own people who voted for him,” Gallon said.
“I’m a constituent and I’m also concerned about the environment and there’s things going on we’d like to find out if he’s going to help us with. Because the administration he seems to be a fan of is undoing so many environmental protections.”
Congressman McCarthy told 17 News, he continues to hold town hall meetings by the telephone every month, adding he is able to reach more people who may not be able to show up to a town hall in person.
