WILLMAR - Congressman Collin Peterson said Thursday he's not sure how to answer some questions from constituents about President Donald Trump's week-old administration.
Peterson, D-Minn., said many people in Minnesota's Seventh Congressional District have questions, though.
People in agriculture are a little nervous about how a new president and secretary of agriculture will treat their industry, he said in a telephone conversation Thursday afternoon. He's heard questions about ethanol and trade. People are also curious about former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, Trump's pick for agriculture secretary, and why he was the last cabinet appointee named.
Rep. Peterson is the ranking member on the House Agriculture Committee, and he will be working with a new Republican chairman, Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas.
"We're trying to figure out what's going on," he said. "I don't think anybody knows right now."
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Any answers he tried to give at this point would be speculation, something he doesn't want to do, he said.
"I've told people, 'Let's wait and see how it plays out,'" he said. "It's just too early."
Peterson said he does not know much about Perdue and has not met him. He expects to get a chance to meet him during the confirmation process.
"I hope we can figure out a way to work together," he said. "I hope (Trump) can be successful, and we can all be successful."
