Washington: U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has advised Republican lawmakers to refrain from holding public town hall meetings, citing concerns over escalating confrontations with protesters. His remarks come amid heightened tensions over former President Donald Trump’s push to fire federal workers and defund certain government programs.
Johnson attributed the disruptions at recent town halls to Democrats and activist groups, suggesting they were orchestrating protests for media attention.
“They’re professional protesters. So why would we give them a forum to do that right now? They’re doing this for the camera. We all know it, and I think it’s wise not to play along,” Johnson said.
Instead, he encouraged lawmakers to engage with constituents through alternative formats, such as small group meetings or telephone conferences, to avoid confrontations.
His comments follow a series of public meetings that devolved into heated exchanges, particularly over the actions of billionaire Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” which has been involved in terminating thousands of federal employees and eliminating funding for programs deemed unnecessary.
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Democrats, however, accused Republicans of evading accountability by avoiding public forums.
“They are scared to answer the question from their own constituents about why they continue to support these efforts,” said Representative Pete Aguilar, a member of the Democratic leadership.
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Some Republican lawmakers also expressed safety concerns, pointing to instances of activists protesting outside their homes, churches, and restaurants.
“For me, personally, I think it’s not safe to do an in-person town hall, because I don’t know what to expect,” said Republican Representative Lauren Boebert.
