As frustration grows over the federal government’s restructuring under Donald Trump, Republican lawmakers who held in-person town halls this week were met with public anger, protests, and intense scrutiny.
In Iowa, longtime Senator Chuck Grassley faced direct and emotional appeals from constituents urging him to take a stand against what they called Trump’s authoritarian behavior. One man asked bluntly, “What are you going to do to stop this dictator?” Attendees repeatedly called on Congress to act as a check on the president’s power.
In contrast, in Georgia, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene held a heavily controlled town hall where she refused to take live questions. Instead, she read pre-screened questions aloud — only to mock and belittle those who were critical of her or Trump.
One question challenged her support for cuts to Medicaid, Social Security offices, and public libraries. Greene responded by saying the attendee was “brainwashed” and sarcastically ridiculed their intelligence. “I’m going to support my president,” she declared, drawing a mixed response from the crowd.
Greene’s event grew tense as protesters interrupted several times. Local police removed individuals, and in two cases, officers used stun guns during altercations. Three people were arrested. Greene dismissed the protesters, telling them to “have fun outside” as they were escorted out.
Across the country, many Republicans have avoided holding public forums during their two-week recess, fearing backlash over Trump’s aggressive federal cuts and executive actions. The few who did appear in public faced a glimpse of the pressure building at the grassroots level — not only over policy, but over their unwavering support for Trump.