Republicans from several states planned town hall meetings to meet with constituents in the wake of President Donald Trump's executive orders on immigration, healthcare and national security.
Although the executive orders deliver on President Trump's campaign promises, not all Americans are happy about them.
The New York Times reports Republicans even in states that overwhelmingly voted for President Trump in the general election are met by constituents who largely disapprove of Mr. Trump's actions, especially around healthcare. For example, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., found herself in front of a large group of unhappy constituents who questioned her about Mr. Trump's first month in office; the crowd booed their representative and shouted "tell the truth," according to the report.
Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, faced a similar audience during his town hall, where the audience agitated and Vice Chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party's Rural Caucus Chris Petersen delivered a "stern warning" about the potential ACA repeal.
Some Republicans, like Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., hosted online town hall meetings, according to The Hill. Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Pa., and Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., have virtual town halls that are designed to avoid protests that occur at the physical location where the town halls are held.
Other representatives are avoiding the town halls all together. Rep. Steven Stivers, R-Ohio, and Rep. Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, will skip town hall meetings planned this week, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Rep. Stivers' town hall will include speakers from Fair Districts Ohio and a Democratic state representative while Rep. Tiberi's event will include a Republican state representative.
President Trump tweeted about the protests yesterday: "The so-called angry crowds in home districts of some Republicans are actually, in numerous cases, planned out by liberal activists. Sad!"
However, not all Republican Congressmen feel the same way; Rep. Grassley acknowledged the protests and offered that if President Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton, had won the election, he would have expected unhappy conservatives at his meetings. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., also defended the activists, tweeting: "They are our fellow Americans with legitimate concerns. We need to stop acting so fragile. I'm proud to defend liberty and the Constitution." He also urged more members of Congress from both parties to hold in-person town halls, according to a report from The Hill.
Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., isn't shying away from the protests either. He held two recent town halls where pro-ACA constituents made their views known; he plans to host others across his district, stating, "We have a duty and obligation to listen to our constituents."