Rep. Bryan Steil (R) was heckled and booed by constituents at a town hall while defending the Trump administration’s policies.
At the rowdy town hall in Elkorn, the congressman was pressed on the administration’s trade war, with one attendee labeling the tariffs a “terrible tax that’s going to be placed on the citizens of the United States.”
“You have allowed him to do that and it’s sad. So tell me the dire circumstances that triggered his tariff wars,” the attendee added.
“As we look at the broader tariffs back and forth with the administration, this really is, at its core needs to be, an opportunity to make sure other countries are treating the United States fairly,” Steil responded prompting boos from the audience.
The Republican was also criticized over the Trump administration’s deportation campaign, drawing boos from the audience as he attempted to defend the administration’s actions.
“What I view is the moral hazard created by the Biden administration by allowing the U.S.-Mexico border to remain unsecure,” he began before pausing and shrugging his shoulder as boos drowned out hos response.
Also on the issue of immigration another audience member told Steil, “It’s not politics, it’s morality. I care about people, and what I see happening to our immigrant population embarrasses me, and you have not raised a voice to complain about it. Where do I see your leadership? I see no leadership, I see following Trump 100% of the time.”
Steil also faced questions about the impact Trump’s megabill will have on Medicaid and other safety net programs. His answers were met with boos also.
One constituent told the congressman, “I am so disappointed. I am so disappointed in how you represent us as the citizens of Walworth County. Southeast Wisconsin has not been represented by you. President Trump seems to run Southeast Wisconsin through you.”
Another attendee bluntly told Steil that it is time for him to go.
“I don’t think you’re the right fit for us anymore,” Steil’s constituent said drawing cheers from the audience.“I just think it’s time to go. You just don’t relate to most of us anymore and you gotta know when to step down. I think it’s time.”
According to CNN, the event’s moderator had to step in several times to attempt to quiet the crowd. In a post on X, Steil said he plans to hold more town halls in the future.
“Thank you to the Wisconsin residents who came out to our listening session,” he wrote. “Despite a handful of individuals attempting to disrupt the discussion, we had a great dialogue about the issues that matter most. I am committed to remaining open and accessible to the residents of the 1st District and I look forward to future events.”
The rowdy town hall came days after local protesters carried a mock cardboard coffin to Steil’s home to protest Medicaid cuts.
