Resolutions opposing federal actions by DOGE and Trump pass Caddo Commission

CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A commissioner’s resolutions that oppose decisions being made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Trump administration passed Thursday’s vote, but not before passionate back-and-forth exchanges between commissioners.

“I don’t think the founding fathers ever imagined a government the size of our current national government,” said District 9 Commissioner John Atkins.

“The founding fathers did not envision many things,” said District 2 Commissioner Gregory Young. “They did not envision me sitting here. They did not envision black people having the right to vote. They did not envision black people being free.”

Discussions before the vote on three resolutions reintroduced by Commissioner Ken Epperson show that the Caddo Parish Commission officially opposes DOGE’s cuts, including those to national aid programs, the mass firings of federal employees, and President Donald Trump’s tariffs on trading partners.

Epperson says he has received “nasty emails from people since he brought forward these resolutions.” He said he replies with a copy of the U.S. Constitution.

“We have the right to petition any government entity relative to any situation we feel is contradictory of democracy,” said Epperson, District 12.

The resolutions were passed down party lines after debate over national politics.

“I understand others’ concerns, but I have concerns. For four years, I watched people not give the definition of a woman,” said Commissioner Grace Anne Blake, District 8.

“I don’t know why anyone would not support this. We’re talking about things that directly affect us as individuals, as leaders in our communities, as federal employees. This relates to food on the table for people,” said Commissioner Stormy-Gage Watts, District 7.

The vote passed seven to three, with two commissioners absent. The next work session will be on April 14.