Facing Backlash Over Trump-Musk Government Cuts, GOP Lawmakers Avoid Meeting Voters At Townhalls

Republican lawmakers are feeling the heat from constituents angered by the sweeping federal government cuts spearheaded by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk‘s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). At town halls across the country, voters have lashed out at their representatives over mass layoffs, the slashing of federal funding and the chaotic restructuring of government agencies.

House Republicans who held town hall meetings last week were met with intense criticism from their constituents, who demanded answers on the layoffs at agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Energy. Some GOP lawmakers have since urged DOGE and the Trump administration to reconsider the aggressive cuts.

“If we have layoffs at the CDC, some people are going to be affected,” said Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Georgia) at a town hall near Atlanta. “The question is, do we give people time to adjust to their lives? And I think that’s my biggest concern, is that we’re being compassionate.”

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-New York) echoed similar concerns in an interview with CNN, warning against the administration’s drastic moves’ “unintended consequences.” 

“We need to take a step back and make sure that we’re rooting out waste and mismanagement without resulting in unintended consequences,” she said.

DOGE, which operates outside the traditional government structure but wields significant power under Trump’s directive, has laid off thousands of employees, canceled federal contracts, and slashed funding for scientific research. Reports also indicate that DOGE has attempted to gain access to sensitive federal payment systems and taxpayer data, prompting concerns about oversight and accountability.

The backlash has prompted some Republican leaders to reconsider their approach to engaging with constituents. Once a staple of local political engagement, town halls have turned into battlegrounds where lawmakers are met with angry crowds demanding explanations for dismantling essential government programs.

“It’s 2018 all over again,” said a chief of staff to a House Republican, speaking to NBC News referencing the backlash against GOP lawmakers during the midterms that year. Some Republicans are now opting for tele-town halls or limiting in-person events to avoid viral confrontations.

Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) expressed skepticism about holding public forums amid the current climate. “I don’t know why you’d want to hold a town hall right now,” he told Axios. “You know the left is going to set some people up in there just to be rabble-rousers.”

Even in deep-red districts, constituents have voiced their frustrations. At a town hall in Missouri, Rep. Mark Alford (R-Missouri) was met with sneers when he attempted to defend the government cutbacks, telling the audience, “God has a plan” for displaced federal workers. His remarks were met with angry shouts, with one attendee retorting, “We don’t want your god!”

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has taken note of the public outcry and advised GOP lawmakers to tread carefully. The RNC has advised that GOP lawmakers should consider alternatives to in-person town halls to avoid fueling negative press. 

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Article by Angie Schlager