Raids and tariffs? We'll take our lumps, say California farmers

You might assume walnut grower Mike Poindexter would be regretting his vote for Donald Trump.

Since the inauguration, immigration officials have raided his Selma, Calif., office and China has slapped tariffs on his walnuts to retaliate against President Trump's protection of steel, aluminum and manufacturing.

But you'd be dead wrong. Like many other farmers in the rural and conservative San Joaquin Valley, Poindexter, 46, is holding as steadfast as his trees.

"It's not about sticking through thick and thin," he said. "What is our other option? In California, they're not willing to back (Sen. Dianne) Feinstein because she's not liberal enough. They don't have anyone who's palatable to us."

So, if Trump thinks a trade war will improve the market for U.S. goods, so be it, Poindexter figures. "You know what? The Cold War affected us, too," he said. "It's not going to be free to win this war, but it may be worth it. I don't think you'll have farmers go out and vote for Democrats