Democrats Take Fight to Republicans’ Own Turf With ‘People’s Town Halls’

Democrats have announced a series of “People’s Town Halls” as a form of counterprogramming after several high-profile protests derailed Republican town halls, prompting GOP leadership to advise party members to stop holding the events.

Newsweek reached out to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) via email on Friday afternoon for comment.

Why It Matters

Republicans have faced nearly relentless heckling at recent town halls as constituents berated lawmakers over cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an unofficial agency created through executive order and nominally led by Elon Musk.

President Donald Trump last week dismissed the controversy as the work of “paid troublemakers,” and Republican leaders have speculated that Democrats organized the protests. They advised party members to stop holding the town halls, although some have continued to do so.

What To Know

The DNC, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC) and Democratic state parties on Friday announced that they will host a series of “in-person public events” in every state but focusing on districts with Republican representatives.

The first slate of the People’s Town Halls includes stops in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska and Pennsylvania:

• Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, represented by Republican Representative Gabe Evans
• Florida’s 13th Congressional District, represented by Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna
• Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, represented by Republican Representative Zach Nunn
• Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, represented by Republican Representative John James
• Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District, represented by Republican Representative Ann Wagner
• Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, represented by Republican Representative Don Bacon
• Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, represented by Republican Representative Ryan Mackenzie
• Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District, represented by Republican Representative Rob Bresnahan

Recently elected DNC Chair Ken Martin chided his counterparts, saying that “working families deserve to have their voices heard, even if Republicans want to ignore them.”

“Instead of facing their constituents, they’re running scared and hiding from the people they were elected to represent,” Martin said. “If they won’t talk to their own voters, then Democrats will. That’s why we’ll be hosting People’s Town Halls in all 50 states across the country, starting now with vulnerable GOP-held target districts.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson last week urged Republican lawmakers to stop holding in-person town halls in the face of angry crowds, saying at a news conference: “We’ve seen this movie before.”

“They’re professional protesters,” Johnson said, repeating Trump’s claims that the demonstrations are driven by paid activists. “So why would we give them a forum to do that right now?”

But North Carolina Representative Chuck Edwards still held an event this week, during which several guests took issue with the cuts to veterans assistance. Videos of hecklers yelling at Edwards have racked up over 1 million views in just days.

What People Are Saying

Martin wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “I’m excited to announce that [The Democrats] are partnering with the [DCCC] and [Dem State Parties] to host People’s Town Halls in all 50 states, starting in vulnerable red districts. If Republicans won’t face voters about the Trump-Musk chaos, we will. I’ll see you out there.”

Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz earlier this week wrote on X: “People want to make their voices heard, but their congressmen are hiding in Washington and refusing to do town halls. I’m going to join Democrats across the country to show up where Republicans aren’t.”

Trump said in a post on Truth Social: “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!”

GOP Representative Keith Self of Texas said in a post to X: “Disruptive Democrats are fomenting outrage with the same old tired scare tactics. But the TRUTH is on our side. Over 77 million Americans voted for President Trump’s agenda.”

What Happens Next

Walz will hold the first two events this weekend, according to a news release from the DNC, although they did not specify which of the states Walz would first visit. The release advised: “A list of events and information on how to RSVP for these “People’s Town Halls” will be coming soon.”