‘You Are Not Fighting’: Republicans Aren’t The Only Ones Facing Rabid Town Halls

Democratic lawmakers are under scrutiny from their own voters for allegedly enabling Trump’s agenda, culminating at fiery town halls.

Republican lawmakers have faced pressure and hostility during in-person town halls, leading House GOP leadership to suggest that their members temporarily avoid such events. At least one Republican town hall appears to have been targeted by left-wing activists. Following Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s decision to support Republicans’ budget plan and avert a government shutdown, the heat is spreading to Democrats. (RELATED: Dana Loesch Warns ‘Fake’ Town Halls Could Fracture Democratic Base)

Democratic Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey faced criticism at his town hall Tuesday for not being loud enough with his opposition to Trump.

“You are not fighting,” a town hall attendee shouted at Ivey. “The message that was sent by Democrats in Congress with the CR catastrophe was clear. It’s not that you’re in the minority — it’s that you aren’t even working together on a shared strategy. And that is failure.”

“We are not interested in hearing that you’re in the minority. We know that. We want you to show some of the backbone and strategic brilliance that [Republican Kentucky Sen.] Mitch McConnell would have in the minority,” the attendee continued. 

Democratic Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell faced a similar issue. “If you’re home, my town halls look like a Republican town hall. I’m not taking it personally. People are scared. They want to see us do something,” she told CBS News’ Face the Nation

Democratic Illinois Rep. Sean Casten engaged in a heated exchange with pro-Palestinian attendees during a town hall on Wednesday before police shut the event down. 

“You are bought and paid for by Israel!” one person shouted at the congressman. “You are bought and paid for by AIPAC!”

According to The Los Angeles Times, Democratic California Rep. Gil Cisneros recently held a town hall at which a voter told Cisneros the Democrat’s sentiment does not appear to match those of their voters.  

“I am so angry. I am so scared. I feel our democracy is in danger. … I wish you’d be angry,” one voter said. “I just wish that the Democrats would match my anger and my fear.”

A recent CNN poll highlighted the decline in favorability towards the Democratic Party. The poll indicated that only 29% of Americans have a favorable sentiment of the current Democratic Party, indicating that the party’s favorability has declined by 20 points since January 2021.

“[Democratic leadership] neglects to see the army of pitchforks behind them ready to fight back if they’re willing to take action,” progressive Democratic strategist Sawyer Hackett told The Hill.

“The expectation is that Democratic elected officials proactively do things to show that they get that we’re in an existential fight for the future of America,” co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee Adam Green said, according to the outlet. (RELATED: Chuck Schumer Insists He Should Keep His Job As Fellow Democrats Circle Like Vultures)

Republican Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood faced a rowdy town hall Tuesday night. Attendees bombarded him with questions about Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Trump’s tariffs, the White House’s stance on Ukraine and other topics. The progressive group Indivisible promoted an event called “Musk or Us: Demand Mike Flood Fight Back!” on the website Stand Up America scheduled for the same time and place as the town hall. Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Fleming Kleeb said party staffers were “on site” during the event.

This is line of cars and people waiting to get into @USRepMikeFlood town hall. He is holding it in Columbus. Said he won’t hold one in Lincoln until August…staff from @NebraskaDems are on site if you need an action handout of things you can do beyond the town hall! pic.twitter.com/YRHuhmwNCc

— Jane Fleming Kleeb👢🪧🗳️ (@janekleeb) March 18, 2025

Republican Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman encountered a wave of criticism Thursday against DOGE and spending cuts during a town hall in the conservative state.