Local Protest in Oskaloosa Echoes National Discontent Over Tariffs, Executive Power

Protestors march around the Oskaloosa town square, voicing concerns over executive overreach, trade policy, and threats to democratic institutions.

Oskaloosa, Iowa — More than 50 residents gathered on the town square this week to express growing concern over what they described as the overreach of presidential authority and the economic fallout from federal trade policies. The grassroots protest, made up of citizens from Mahaska County and surrounding communities, marked a rare political demonstration of this size in Oskaloosa — a city more accustomed to quiet civic engagement than organized rallies.

Though not formally affiliated with a political party, many attendees were connected through the Mahaska County Democrats’ outreach. Still, organizers and participants emphasized that this was a gathering of concerned citizens, not a partisan event.

“I think people are unhappy with what’s happening,” said former local official Tom Riley, one of the day’s speakers. “For me, the tariffs are probably the thing that really motivated me to say, ‘Hey, I at least got to say something.’”

Riley criticized what he saw as Congress abdicating its Article I powers to the executive branch, referencing recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration that have roiled agricultural markets. “Picking a fight with Canada is not a good idea,” he added.

Nationwide, protests like the one in Oskaloosa have become more common in small towns since 2024, as discontent with tariffs, immigration policy shifts, and executive action has spread beyond urban centers. The administration’s reactivation of sweeping tariff measures, particularly on aluminum, steel, and agricultural products, has drawn sharp criticism from economists, lawmakers, and now, everyday Iowans concerned about ripple effects on local economies. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, recent tariff increases have cost American importers billions and have sparked retaliatory measures that directly affect Midwest farmers.

Kathryn Kaul-Goodman, another participant in the Oskaloosa event, said the demonstration aimed to push back against what she sees as authoritarian tendencies in government.

“Trump was elected to be president, but he wasn’t elected to be a king or dictator who disregards our laws,” she said. “You can’t wait until it affects you personally to care. If you do, you’re missing the point.”

Goodman said she found hope in the turnout — a sentiment echoed by others who noted the rarity of seeing such civic mobilization in Mahaska County. “It’s easy in this county to think you’re alone,” she said. “But when you look around and ask people to come out, they do.”

In recent years, Iowa has seen small but persistent protest movements around issues including reproductive rights, education policy, and immigration enforcement. The Oskaloosa rally falls in line with a broader national resurgence of localized civic activism — often sparked by concerns over democracy, rule of law, and policy impacts on working-class communities.

Though the protest was peaceful and relatively brief, it highlighted a tension brewing beneath the surface in many rural areas: a sense that political polarization, economic instability, and lack of representation are converging in ways that demand local voices be heard.

“I’ve never protested before,” Riley admitted. “But if more people start saying, ‘These tariffs are not a good idea,’ maybe we can reverse some of this before it gets out of control.”