Last week, several Republican lawmakers faced vocal protests during their town hall meetings, with attendees expressing anger over their support for Elon Musk and his efforts to make substantial cuts to the federal government. In California, Rep. Jay Obernolte's town hall was disrupted by shouts of "No king!", while Rep. Glenn Grothman entered his Wisconsin town hall to a chorus of boos. Rep. Cliff Bentz from Oregon faced such intense heckling that he considered leaving the event.
Despite the backlash, Republican lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Monday, largely unwavering in their support for Musk and his attempts to streamline the federal government. "It’s easy to be critical, but the people voted for change in November, and that’s exactly what they’re getting," Obernolte remarked in an interview. He criticized the opposing party for turning the issue into a "political stunt."
Some Republicans dismissed the protests as being organized by liberal activists, claiming that they did not represent the majority sentiment in their districts. Rep. Grothman suggested that the protesters were uninformed, possibly Democratic constituents, stating, "I think once you’re informed, you realize that we’ve got a lot of financial problems."
The scenes at last week's town halls were reminiscent of 2017, when voters protested Republican efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. However, this time the anger was more focused on Musk and the GOP’s perceived inaction as he enacted mass layoffs and budget cuts. Concerns were also raised about potential cuts to Medicaid, Social Security, and other safety-net programs, issues resonating with centrist Republicans.
Following a particularly heated protest, NBC News reported that Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia plans to urge Musk to exhibit more compassion in his actions.
Many GOP lawmakers insisted that their constituents support Musk’s efforts to reduce government waste and fraud, despite recent polling indicating a decline in public opinion towards Musk. "I’ve not heard anybody say they didn’t want to cut anything, it’s just they don’t like Elon," stated Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, asserting the party's commitment to continuing with the cuts.
The town halls were primarily held in deep-red districts where Republican members typically find a more supportive audience. However, the presence of dissent even in these areas could indicate broader dissatisfaction with Musk’s actions.
Despite the protests, GOP Rep. Pete Sessions from Texas affirmed his commitment to holding town halls, saying, "Of course I will." Other Republicans, such as Reps. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.) and Mark Alford (R-Mo.), also encountered heated district events. Many protests were organized by left-leaning groups like Indivisible and the Working Families Party.
In Western Colorado, Rep. Jeff Hurd’s district saw some 400 people attend a meeting organized by liberal activists. Although Hurd did not attend, these gatherings reflect growing activism demanding lawmakers support policies that aid struggling Americans.
How voters perceive Musk and Trump, and how Republicans address these concerns, could significantly impact the outcome of the 2026 midterms. Democrats are eager to regain the House majority and are focusing on reversing the GOP’s narrow lead.
On Monday, several Republican members noted signs of organized protests at their events, with attendees reading scripted questions. Rep. Bentz humorously acknowledged seeing the same activists repeatedly at his town halls. Despite the opposition, Bentz remains committed to reducing the size of the government, acknowledging the difficulty of the task.
Some Republicans are increasingly concerned about the rapid pace of cuts by Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the administration’s apparent disregard for congressional spending authority. Efforts are underway to reverse some dismissals, particularly those affecting military veterans and USDA employees tackling the bird flu outbreak. Obernolte mentioned that rangers in his district, which includes Joshua Tree National Park, are likely being rehired after community pushback.
Additionally, concerns have been raised about the impact of NIH funding cuts on research institutions. Some senators are urging Musk and DOGE to show more "compassion" towards civil servants.
Despite these issues, many House Republicans remain steadfast in their support for Musk. Rep. Ken Calvert of California, faced with protesters at his Palm Desert office, stated, "I’m used to it. It’s just another day in paradise."
