House Republicans Advised to Avoid In-Person Town Halls Amid Public Backlash Over Federal Cuts
House Republicans are being urged to halt in-person town hall meetings following growing public discontent over federal cuts implemented under President Donald Trump’s government overhaul efforts. The advice came during a closed-door meeting near the Capitol on Tuesday, led by National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Rep. Rich Hudson, R-N.C.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, speaking to reporters after the meeting, characterized the attendees of recent town halls as “professional protesters” and suggested it would be “wise” not to “play into that.” Echoing Johnson’s remarks, Trump has previously claimed that such attendees are “paid troublemakers.” However, there is no evidence to support the claim that participants are being compensated.
Liberal advocacy groups like Indivisible have actively encouraged attendance at congressional town halls, but the backlash appears to stem from widespread public concern over the impact of federal workforce reductions. As an alternative to in-person events, Johnson proposed that lawmakers consider hosting tele-town halls to engage with constituents.
Last week, House lawmakers were in their home districts, where many held town halls—a traditional forum for public feedback. Several of these events, including those in staunchly Republican areas, gained national attention as constituents voiced strong opposition to the cuts.
The DOGE initiative, spearheaded by tech billionaire Elon Musk, has reportedly resulted in the dismissal of approximately 100,000 federal employees during Trump’s first six weeks in office. The cuts have significantly impacted agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where around 1,000 workers were let go.
In an Atlanta suburb, Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., faced a hostile crowd of hundreds at a town hall, with attendees demanding he oppose the cuts. One constituent questioned why Republicans were pursuing a “radical, extremist, and sloppy approach” to reducing the federal workforce, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Similarly, in Oregon, GOP Rep. Cliff Bentz encountered large crowds at multiple town halls, where voters expressed concerns about the cuts. “I’m all for fiscal responsibility and downsizing the government,” said one independent voter at a Baker City town hall. “But you can do it in a way that is humane and treats people with dignity.”
In Texas, Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, faced jeers and disruptions during a March 1 town hall. The local GOP later claimed on social media that “many Democrats showed up only to cause disruptions,” though the majority of attendees appeared to be motivated by genuine concerns over the policy changes.
As tensions rise, the debate over how lawmakers should engage with constituents continues, with Republicans weighing the benefits of in-person events against the risks of public confrontations.
