In a recent town hall meeting held in Asheville, North Carolina, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards faced a tumultuous crowd as he addressed concerns regarding President Donald Trump’s “destructive and disastrous trade war.” The congressman, visibly fatigued, appealed to the audience before responding to a question, stating, “Let me answer and then if you don’t like it, you can boo or hiss or whatever you’d like to do.” This marked the beginning of a contentious interaction that lasted for nearly an hour and a half.
As Edwards elaborated on Trump’s use of tariffs as a negotiating tactic, the crowd's discontent erupted within moments. Despite the uproar, Edwards attempted to maintain his composure, eventually noting, “I’ll stop there and you can yell,” prompting attendees to unleash their frustrations vocally. The scene was chaotic, with over 300 attendees inside the auditorium and more than a thousand protesters outside, creating an atmosphere charged with dissent.
House Speaker Mike Johnson had recently advised Republican representatives to avoid town halls, labeling the demonstrations as orchestrated by “professional protesters.” In contrast, Edwards expressed his commitment to engaging with the citizens of western North Carolina, regardless of differing opinions. However, as the town hall progressed, the congressman found it challenging to maintain a dialogue amid the hostile interruptions.
Asheville, known for its liberal leanings, stands out in predominantly conservative North Carolina. Despite the state voting for Trump in the 2024 election, Edwards acknowledged the challenges of conducting town halls in such a politically charged environment. “And you wonder why folks don’t want to do these town halls,” he remarked over the cacophony of protests.
The town hall began with Edwards discussing the recovery efforts in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, a storm that resulted in over 100 fatalities and an estimated $59.6 billion in damages. While he highlighted the work attributed to the Trump administration, including proposals to dissolve the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), his statements were met with hostility, with attendees demanding immediate answers to their pressing concerns.
As the town hall progressed, Edwards faced pointed questions on various critical issues, including budget cuts to government agencies led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, and the future of essential health care programs like Medicare and Medicaid. His responses regarding job reductions at the Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia were met with applause from the majority of the audience.
Despite the intense atmosphere, Edwards managed to keep his sense of humor, expressing appreciation for the crowd's “passion” and “patriotism.” After the event, he held a news conference where he echoed sentiments of support for Trump and Musk, asserting, “They’re over the target” in their objectives. He concluded by stating, “I take away from what I heard today that we’re doing exactly what the American people sent us to Washington D.C. to do,” even as protesters continued to voice their dissent outside the venue.
