Derrick Van Orden Scandals: Why His Outbursts and Poor Judgment Make Him Unfit for Wisconsin’s 3rd District
As someone who supports practical policies, I watch Derrick Van Orden’s record with concern. I value working families and veterans.
This is not just about policy differences. It is a troubling pattern of scandals and outbursts. These incidents reveal a lack of temperament for Congress.
In Wisconsin’s 3rd District, voters value decency. Reliability also matters deeply to us. The 2026 election is approaching quickly.
Challengers are now highlighting his many vulnerabilities. Many people question if he deserves reelection.
The Long List of Derrick Van Orden Scandals
Derrick Van Orden has faced at least six major scandals that highlight his inability to handle pressure maturely:
- Exposing female officers: In his 2015 book, Van Orden described a disturbing incident. He showed a male officer’s genitals to two young officers. They did not consent. He called them “cute” and noted their shock. HuffPost reported this passage.
- Library confrontation: In 2021, he stormed a Prairie du Chien library. He berated employees over a Pride Month display. He also threatened a 17-year-old page. The Associated Press covered the incident.
- January 6 funds: He used $4,000 in campaign money to travel to Washington. He was on Capitol grounds during the violence. He also spread false election claims. The Daily Beast exposed these details.
- Yelling at pages: In 2023, he yelled profanities at high-school Senate pages. They were only taking photos in the Rotunda. This prompted a rare bipartisan rebuke. AP News detailed the outburst.
- Briefing disruption: Later in 2023, he interrupted a sensitive Israel briefing. He used profanity and insulted the briefers. Rolling Stone reported the disruption.
- False assault claim: In 2024, he accused a protester of assault. She was held for 15 hours. Video later confirmed no crime occurred. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel criticized the claim.
Why Derrick Van Orden’s Temperament and Judgment Fall Short
These scandals form a pattern of explosive outbursts. He lacks impulse control and makes poor decisions. Yelling at teenagers shows poor leadership.
Congress demands composure during a crisis. It requires ethical restraint and respect. Van Orden has repeatedly failed this test.
Wisconsin’s 3rd District needs leaders focused on solutions. Families face challenges with farm policy and care. His behavior alienates moderates and embarrasses Wisconsin.
Voters deserve better in 2026. We need representatives who show maturity. On temperament alone, Van Orden falls short. Wisconsin deserves more.