Rep. Harriet Hageman speaks at a town hall in Evanston, Wyoming, on March 14, 2025. AP Photo
Two Republican lawmakers held public meetings last week, facing very different reactions from their constituents. While Rep. Harriet Hageman was met with mostly friendly but concerned questions in Wyoming, Rep. Chuck Edwards faced a rowdy and hostile crowd in North Carolina.
Hageman, who represents Wyoming, hosted her meeting in Evanston, a small town near the Utah border. Around 250 people packed the Union Pacific Railroad roundhouse, creating a lively but civil atmosphere. Many attendees were Trump supporters, as he won nearly 80% of the vote in the area during the last election.
At the meeting, some voters expressed concerns about billionaire Elon Musk’s influence in Trump’s administration. Musk, now a “special government employee” with top-secret security clearance, is leading efforts to cut government costs. Hageman defended Musk’s work, calling the U.S. Agency for International Development a “waste of money.”
However, some attendees questioned Musk’s aggressive cuts. Former Wyoming Secretary of State Karl Allred supported reducing spending but warned that the defense budget also needed trimming. “We waste a lot of money in the military, and in every department,” he said.
Hageman herself showed concern over Musk’s plan to cut 10,000 U.S. Postal Service jobs, which could significantly impact Wyoming’s rural mail service.
Meanwhile, in Asheville, North Carolina, Rep. Chuck Edwards faced a much different crowd. His meeting at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College drew about 300 people inside, with around 1,000 more protesting outside.
Edwards represents Buncombe County, where Trump received only 36.9% of the vote, making it less Republican-friendly territory. The crowd frequently interrupted him with boos and jeers.
One attendee, Jay Carey, a 54-year-old Democrat and retired veteran, confronted Edwards just 20 minutes into the meeting. He shouted, “Do your job!” and accused the congressman of lying. Police eventually escorted Carey out after he refused to stop yelling.
Carey, who lost his small business and home during Hurricane Helene, expressed frustration over Trump’s push to reduce the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Much of Edwards’ district is still recovering from the hurricane, making FEMA cuts a sensitive topic.
Despite the chaos, Edwards continued answering questions, though the crowd remained vocal throughout the 90-minute session.
These two town halls highlight the growing divide in Republican districts. In Trump-heavy Wyoming, voters questioned some of Musk’s cost-cutting measures but largely supported the administration. In North Carolina, residents were angry about the slow recovery from the hurricane and cuts to disaster relief.
Both Hageman and Edwards held their meetings despite House Speaker Mike Johnson’s warning for Republicans to avoid public forums due to increasing protests. Their contrasting experiences reflect the deep political divide across the country.
