California Rep. Adam Schiff is garnering national attention for leading the investigation on President Trump’s potential impeachment. Earlier this week, allegations surfaced that Trump asked the president of Ukraine to investigate his political opponent, Democratic Presidential Candidate Joseph Biden. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi subsequently launched an impeachment inquiry.
The congressman represents California’s 28th District, stretching from West Hollywood to Pasadena, and from Echo Park to the Angeles National Forest. While Schiff is in Washington addressing national issues concerning Trump’s presidency, some of his Silverlake constituents wonder whether local issues are being neglected.
“I don’t think it’ll [the impeachment] ever really happen,” said Silverlake resident Molly Beck on Trump’s potential impeachment. “I’m wondering if the resources, the time... if all that could be better spent on so many other things that we truly need. So I think it’s just kind of a waste of time.”
Others from the community share this sentiment, noting Los Angeles’ homelessness as one of the major issues that is getting neglected in the wake of local politicians putting resources towards national concerns.
“I think that’s the most important, pressing issue,” Silverlake resident Scott Tammel said. “That’s something where you could say all the representatives from Los Angeles have failed.”
Rachel Troy, another of Schiff’s constituents, said she is skeptical about what she believes to be a sudden interest in impeaching the president.
“Initially he [Schiff] hadn’t been pushing for impeachment. He was really light on that,” Silverlake resident Rachel Troy resident said. “I’m not really confident that with the impeachment hearing now that he’s going to be progressive.”
Though Schiff has been vocal in denouncing Trump’s actions throughout his presidency, his local constituents hope those efforts aren’t ill-placed. They believed there are issues that need to be taken care of here at home.