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By Robert Birsel and Hannah Parry
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Nebraska Republican Representative Mike Flood's town hall got off to a rocky start on Monday night as he faced the public's wrath over several Trump administration policies.
The event, held in Lincoln, Nebraska, erupted into boos and yells within minutes of Flood taking the stage as he addressed President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill."
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"There's been a lot of misinformation about the bill," Flood began, before the crowd erupted into boos and shouts of "Liar!"
The representative was later asked why the administration had cut SNAP benefits and health care research. "We do not have unlimited money in the United States," Flood responded before his voice was drowned out by more jeers from the audience.
Why It Matters
Town halls have become tense and rowdy affairs for Republicans in recent months, as lawmakers face the scorn of voters over the Trump administration's policies, especially around cuts to Social Security, Medicaid and veterans' health care.
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Some gatherings have culminated in constituents being forcibly removed, threatened with arrest—or even tased, like during an April town hall held by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene—an action the congresswoman has defended.
In March, Trump said that the heckling was the work of "paid troublemakers," and Republican leaders advised party members to stop holding the town halls, although some have continued to do so.
What To Know
Hundreds of Nebraska constituents lined up around the block ahead of the town hall on Monday, with many eager to grill their representative on his voting record and support for the Trump administration's policies.
Flood appeared prepared for the turbulence, repeatedly warning the crowd not to boo over other people's questions.
But the town hall swiftly went off the rails and when he opened the floor to questions and a constituent demanded to know how much it was costing Americans to support "fascism," in relation to Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation tactics.
The question received a standing ovation.
Flood also faced tough questions over the Jeffrey Epstein files, health care cuts and the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
What People Are Saying
Flood during the town hall, in response to a constituent accusing him of being a fascist for not standing up to Trump: "Fascists don't hold town halls with open question-and-answer sessions."
The crowd at the town hall: "Vote him out! Vote him out!"
Trump in a post to Truth Social in March: "Paid 'troublemakers' are attending Republican Town Hall Meetings. It is all part of the game for the Democrats, but just like our big LANDSLIDE ELECTION, it's not going to work for them!"
What Happens Next
Senior Republicans are likely to repeat earlier calls for lawmakers to stop conducting in-person town halls, especially if the Trump administration's federal budget cuts unfold as some economists expect and voter anger persists or intensifies.
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