MADISON, Wis. — In a move that surprised absolutely no one, WI-03 Congressman Derrick Van Orden once again doubled down on his support for tariffs, choosing to stand with President Trump instead of his constituents. Wisconsin has seen an uptick in farm bankruptcies since Trump took office. In 2023 and 2024, there were only two claims filed. In 2025, that number jumped to 12, driven by rising costs and ongoing economic uncertainty.
“Our farmers understand that we have to level the playing field. And how do you do that? You do that with these tariffs. ” — Derrick Van Orden
“In his typical fashion, Derrick Van Orden is sticking with Trump and the cost-raising policies that are bankrupting the very people who sent him to Washington to represent them,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Philip Shulman. “He is willing to sell out his constituents in order to give tax breaks to billionaires like Elon Musk while our multi-generation family farms are having to declare bankruptcy.”
Van Orden’s comments come after a bipartisan group of agriculture experts sent a letter to President Trump warning that the tariffs have caused significant damage to the farming community — damage that is clearly being felt here in Wisconsin. Farmers across the state have been outspoken about their concerns, expressing skepticism that Trump’s proposed farm aid would be enough to offset the losses caused by the trade war.
