Within the highly polarized environment of U.S. politics, two Republican town halls—one held in the Trump stronghold of Evanston, Wyoming, and another in the swing district of Asheville, North Carolina—demonstrated the increasing tension, distrust, and discord within the GOP voter base. Although both sessions were focused around citizens’ questions about government policy under the Trump administration, the tone and reception could not have been more opposed.
Members Harriet Hageman and Chuck Edwards went against the advice of House Speaker Mike Johnson to stay out of public town halls because of mounting vitriol from constituents. Rather, they opted to confront their constituents—some encouraging, others bitterly critical.
Evanston, Wyoming: Conservative Scepticism in a Republican Stronghold
Wyoming, the country’s most conservative state, would likely be a secure bet for Rep. Harriet Hageman. But even in a district where Trump won 80% of the vote, there was tension present. Though Hageman’s reception in the historic Union Pacific Railroad roundhouse was mostly civil, worries about government spending reductions and Elon Musk’s influence over the administration’s measures to make the government more efficient dominated.
The plan to slash 10,000 jobs at the U.S. Postal Service, disproportionately in rural states such as Wyoming, was met with opposition—even from self-proclaimed conservatives. Trump’s call to end wasteful government spending was championed by some Republicans, such as former Wyoming Secretary of State Karl Allred, but they cautioned against defense spending reductions and government agency closures being short-sighted.
“We waste a lot of money in the military, I assure you,” Allred said. “But you can’t gut it all in one night.” Even Hageman was wary, recognizing that Musk’s dramatic efficiency initiatives might damage small rural towns.
Asheville, North Carolina: A Flashpoint of Opposition
For Rep. Chuck Edwards, however, the Asheville experience was a very different story. The town hall meeting, at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, rapidly escalated into an acrimonious face-off. Asheville is a progressive outpost in what otherwise is a conservative district and has been locked in battle with Republican leadership for many years.
Edwards was hit with a barrage of criticism, specifically about federal disaster assistance, after Hurricane Helene ravaged the country. Several people in the audience were angered by Trump’s proposal to dismantle FEMA, a key institution in the rehabilitation of flooded places.
One of the most intense moments came when Jay Carey, a retired veteran who lost his business in the hurricane, stood up and shouted at Edwards, “Do your job!” before being escorted out by police. Outside, a crowd of nearly 1,000 demonstrators chanted in protest.
Edwards remained composed but visibly frustrated. “We’re doing exactly what the American people sent us to Washington, D.C., to do,” he said, though the audience’s response suggested otherwise.
A Growing Divide Within the GOP
These town halls revealed the growing divide not only between Republicans and Democrats, but within the Republican Party as well. Trump’s deep-cut government reduction may play well with his base, but unease about unintended effects—like interruptions in basic services—is cropping up even in red states.
The unease surrounding Musk’s growing presence in Washington is another essential takeaway. While considered a visionary, his appointment as head of the Department of Government Efficiency has caused queries regarding accountability. “Why is an unelected billionaire running parts of our government?” an Asheville audience member asked, a question that ran deep throughout both town halls.
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