In Evanston, Wyoming, (AP) — In two distinct congressional areas representing very different political landscapes, two Republican members of the U.S. House faced markedly contrasting receptions during their recent town hall events.
Despite their leader’s recommendation,
House Speaker Mike Johnson
, to
avoid conducting public gatherings
with constituents, second-term Reps.
Chuck Edwards
and
Harriet Hageman
proceeded with their nightly meetings.
In Asheville, North Carolina,
chants of opposition
welcomed Edwards on Thursday amid jeers from his opponents whenever he responded and chants echoing outside. In Evanston, located in Wyoming’s southwest—a predominantly rural area with strong ties to the Republican party—it was largely Republicans who posed tough questions to Hageman in a more subdued environment.
In both instances, voters showed interest in the extent and speed of actions taken in Washington following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, with notably less enthusiasm in Wyoming compared to an event approximately 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) due east.
Evanston, Wyoming
Joy Walton, a 76-year-old Republican from Evanston, attended the meeting puzzled about tech mogul Elon Musk's position within the executive branch. Trump has assigned Musk to spearhead an extensive initiative.
reduce the dimensions and expenses of governmental operations
.
Hageman —
Liz Cheney
His successor clarified Musk’s role within the Trump administration, referring to him as "a special government employee" who holds "top-secret security clearance." She commended his efforts to scrutinize foreign aid contracts at the U.S. Agency for International Development, terming the agency a "monstrous waste of resources."
The gathering was less eventful compared to certain Republican-led sessions conducted since they have control over both the House and the Senate.
Sen. Roger Marshall
, a member of the Kansas Republicans, ended a similar gathering prematurely this month in northwestern Kansas when attendees expressed loud disapproval over government staff reductions.
Nevertheless, Hageman's gathering on Friday, where roughly 250 people filled the renovated Union Pacific Railroad roundhouse to its maximum capacity, turned out to be the most dynamic event of the night in the railroad station town home to around 11,800 residents.
Several people in the crowd interjected remarks at Hageman, although this remained supportive ground for Trump. The president secured 80% of votes inUintaCounty, located near theUtahborder, ultimately winningWyomingwith almost 72% of the electorate last year.
Even some committed Republicans expressed worry over Musk's suggestions as he led the administration's efforts.
Department of Government Efficiency
.
The former Wyoming Secretary of State, Karl Allred, aged 60, expressed his satisfaction with President Trump cutting "inefficient expenditures." However, he emphasized that significant reductions in federal spending would have to encompass the defense budget as well. "I am sure we squander a substantial amount of funds within the military and across all departments," Allred stated concerning the armed forces.
Even Hageman indicated that Musk might have gone too far in his criticism of the U.S. Postal Service, which has
agreed to help Musk's team
As part of its strategy to reduce the workforce by 10,000 out of its current 640,000 employees within the upcoming month, Wyoming is expected to experience some of the most significant impacts due to its low population size, according to Hageman.
Asheville, North Carolina
Edwards entered an entirely distinct setting. Asheville, a medium-sized city nestled among the countryside hills of western North Carolina, serves as the heart of Buncombe County. In the previous year, Donald Trump secured 36.9% of the votes here.
Jay Carey, a 54-year-old member of the Democratic party, stated prior to the constituency gathering on Thursday evening at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, "I intend to confront him directly."
Approximately 20 minutes into the meeting with Edwards, Carey, a former military serviceman, began yelling at the representative to "do your duty." After standing up, Carey alleged that Edwards was being dishonest and proceeded to use an array of profanities. Eventually, law enforcement officers intervened and led him out of the auditorium.
For approximately 90 minutes, Edwards encountered taunts, heckles, and direct inquiries from numerous individuals within an assembled crowd of 300 people. Meanwhile, around 1,000 others voiced similar sentiments just beyond the structure’s walls.
Surely, Carey, hailing from the Asheville region, joined a gathering of Democrats at the event; however, they were not among the unpaid demonstrators mentioned by Johnson as instigators of rowdy assemblies.
Carey’s house was inundated with six feet of water during
Hurricane Helene
In September, he lost his small business, and his family had to move from a house to a more compact apartment.
Many parts of Edwards' district were devastated by the hurricane and are still in the initial stages of reconstruction, despite Trump's suggestions.
doing away with the Federal Emergency Management Agency
.
Edwards appeared unfazed by the frequently antagonistic response, stating to journalists afterwards, "I value the opportunity to discuss these matters, despite the varying perspectives and contrasting viewpoints."
Nevertheless, as demonstrators kept chanting outside, Edwards stated, "What we are doing is precisely what the American people dispatched us to accomplish in Washington, D.C."
___
Seminara provided coverage from Asheville, and Beaumont contributed from Des Moines, Iowa.
