WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the effects of sweeping federal budget cuts take hold, Republican lawmakers are facing rising anger from their constituents during town halls across the country.
The cuts, orchestrated by President Donald Trump and spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk’s leadership, have led to widespread layoffs of federal employees and the elimination of key government programs.
Now, with Congress in recess, voters from both sides of the aisle are voicing their frustrations directly to their representatives—many of whom seem unprepared to answer tough questions about the depth and impact of the cuts.
Town Halls Turn Tense as Voters Push Back
From Georgia to Oregon, Republicans are being grilled over what constituents see as reckless governance:
- Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) faced fierce backlash during a packed town hall in Roswell. Attendees criticized the administration’s “radical and sloppy” layoffs, particularly after reports surfaced that the government had tried to rehire workers in vital programs like bird flu research and nuclear weapons management.
- One attendee accused Trump of acting like a monarch, saying: “Tyranny is rising in the White House, and Trump has declared himself king.”
- McCormick’s comparison of angry town hall attendees to the January 6th Capitol rioters triggered loud boos and chants of “Shame!” from the crowd.
“I think there were conservatives there who were also not happy,” said Maggie Goldman, a Roswell resident who helped organize the event. “People want responsible cuts—not chaos.”
Concerns About Oversight and Musk’s Influence
In Oklahoma, Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) dodged calls for congressional oversight of Elon Musk’s growing influence within DOGE, instead deferring responsibility to the judicial branch.
Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI) admitted to constituents that he had never been briefed on DOGE’s operations—even as concerns mount over the lack of transparency surrounding Musk’s role in reshaping federal agencies.
“Certainly, the discussion around DOGE will have to be scrutinized,” Fitzgerald acknowledged, though he added that Congress was not yet prepared to step in.
In Alaska, Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK) faced questions during a telephone town hall from a lifelong Republican who warned that Trump’s executive overreach was eroding checks and balances. Before the constituent could finish his question, the call mysteriously went silent—a moment many on the call found deeply unsettling.
Economic Anxiety and the Human Cost of Budget Cuts
Beyond political concerns, voters are also alarmed by the human cost of the sweeping budget cuts:
- In Oregon, Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) was confronted by a tearful woman who criticized Congress for passing “unsustainable budgets” while leaving working-class Americans to bear the brunt of the financial consequences.
- In Georgia, constituents raised concerns about layoffs in essential services like public health, national security, and scientific research, with some arguing that rehiring recently laid-off employees reflected the chaotic mismanagement of the DOGE initiative.
“I’m all for fiscal responsibility and downsizing government,” the Oregon voter said. “But it should be done humanely and with dignity, not through reckless mass firings.”
Congress Reluctant to Challenge Trump and Musk
Despite rising pressure from voters, many Republican lawmakers remain hesitant to directly challenge Trump or Musk:
- Several Senate Republicans have privately expressed concerns over how the cuts will affect their states but have avoided public criticism of Trump’s aggressive approach.
- Rep. Fitzgerald and others have suggested that congressional committees like Ways and Means will eventually review DOGE’s actions—but no formal investigations have begun.
- Rep. Begich predicted that legal challenges to Trump’s overreach would likely reach the Supreme Court, indicating that Congress might continue to rely on judicial intervention instead of exercising its own authority.
“If the Congress or executive branch steps outside of its constitutionally defined boundaries, the courts step in,” Begich said.
Growing Bipartisan Concerns Over DOGE’s Unchecked Power
The backlash isn’t confined to just Democrats or independent voters—even some lifelong Republicans are questioning Trump’s motives and Musk’s unprecedented influence over federal policy:
- Critics say the administration’s actions bypass the traditional checks and balances that safeguard democratic governance.
- Others worry that firing federal employees working on critical infrastructure and public health programs could leave the country vulnerable in times of crisis.
- Watchdog groups are also pressing Congress to subpoena Musk to testify about his role and influence in federal decision-making.
