Last week, Democrats across the country hosted town hall events speaking to local community members about the dangers of Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and MAGA Republicans’ extreme agenda that will leave them suffering. In total, the “People’s Town Halls” – a joint effort by the DNC, DCCC, and ASDC – has hosted 25 events in 15 states so far. 

A few examples below:

In Pennsylvania, DNC Chair Ken Martin joined Rep. Jamie Raskin, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, former Rep. Susan Wild, and Lehigh Valley local leaders where they called out Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07) for refusing to engage with his constituents in an in-person town hall after voting to gut Medicaid and take away their health care coverage. In California, Rep. Jimmy Gomez and the California Democratic Party took vulnerable Republican Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) to task for voting to cut Medicaid funding despite representing more Medicaid enrollees than any other House member. In Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz blasted congressional Republicans and the Trump administration for attacking programs that thousands of Minnesotans depend on.

While Republicans continue to run and hide from their constituents, Democrats are stepping up and meeting them face to face to ensure they know it’s Trump, Elon Musk, and their MAGA minions in Congress making their lives harder. 

Take a look at some of the coverage below: 

In Print: 

In Pennsylvania:

Morning Call: At People’s Town Hall, Lehigh Valley residents and politicians attack Ryan Mackenzie, national Republicans

[Anthony Salamone, 3/21/25] 

“Lehigh Valley residents and national and local politicians went on the attack at a People’s Town Hall in Bethlehem, criticizing Republican spending cuts that they fear threaten Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security, and accusing their congressman, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, of not meeting with his constituents.

“‘Of all the cowards in Washington, there is no one more cowardly than Congressman Mackenzie, who refused to be here,’ said Ken Martin, Democratic National Committee chair. ‘People have the right to be heard, and their congressmen meet with them. If they’re not going to do it, we will do it for them.’ …

“Lehigh County Commissioner Jon Irons, who said he has worked with students in a nonprofit and at the Whitehall-Coplay School District, argued that young people need government assistance perhaps as much as the elderly and infirm, particularly in the area of mental health.

“‘When it comes down to delivering services, there is one big barrier. That is cost,’ Irons said. ‘Medicaid is a lifeline that enables students to access [care].’ …

“The event also featured U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, a top Democrat from Maryland. Raskin whipped up the overflow audience about Trump, Musk and DOGE, calling them ‘anti-corruption crusaders’ of whom one of their first acts was eliminating 18 government inspectors, positions he said have uncovered fraud in government over the years.”

Lehigh Valley News: Hundreds rally with Democrats over Medicaid threats, Trump cuts

[Tom Shortell, 3/21/25]

“A slate of Democratic leaders from the local, state and federal levels offered the crowd a helping of political communion, attacking Mackenzie, congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump for their pursuit of sweeping changes to the federal government. …

“They invited Mackenzie, R-Lehigh Valley, to attend his first public forum so he could take questions from concerned constituents about the proposed $880 billion in cuts to the federal health insurance program that serves America’s most vulnerable.

“Mackenzie didn’t show. … 

“One woman, who identified herself as a pediatric therapist, shared how she serves children who are dependent on Medicaid for food and healthc are. Between the potential benefits cut and the possible fallout of Trump’s tariffs, families on the edge could be cast adrift, she said. …

“Martin, the DNC chair, thanked the woman for sharing her experiences.

“Growing up, his family could only make ends meet thanks to their Medicaid coverage, he said. People need to set aside their partisan tendencies and recognize the humanity of their neighbors and fellow Americans, he said.

“‘Behind every single one of those numbers that they’re cutting is family like mine. Like the families that you take care of,’ Martin told the woman. ‘This is not some abstract exercise in efficiency. These are people’s lives.’

“Another woman spoke at length about how she wound up on Social Security disability after a fall at a grocery store. When she couldn’t work, she raised her family thanks to the Medicaid benefits they received.

“Wild thanked audience members like her who shared their personal experiences. Trump and Musk keep claiming the program is rife with fraud and waste, but the experiences of people in the community show what’s at stake, she said.”

Brown and White: Hundreds rally against Representative Mackenzie’s vote for budget cuts at People’s Town Hall

[Natalie Javitt, 3/21/25]

“In an interview with The Brown and White after the town hall, Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, said there are no rights that are guaranteed. He also said with the stroke of a pen on an executive order, Trump can take away programs that people rely on. 

“He said college students particularly need to engage in the fight, especially if they are frustrated with what they’re seeing. Young voters make up the largest voting block in the country, but he said young people are also the group with the lowest rate of political participation.

“‘Students at Lehigh and all over this country have the power to change the direction of this country and even change the direction of this party,’ Martin said.”

WDIY: Rep. Ryan Mackenzie Faces Criticism Over Support for Medicaid Cuts

[James Zipprodt, 3/21/25]

“The U.S. House of Representatives’ budget for the 2025 fiscal year calls for $1.7 trillion in spending cuts. $880 billion of that would be taken from Medicaid, a program that provides one in five U.S. residents with health care coverage.

“Since the proposal of this budget, residents have called on their legislators to oppose the cuts. Republican Ryan Mackenzie, who won the Lehigh Valley seat from Democrat Susan Wild in November, has been the target of many of these calls since voicing his support for the cuts.

“Some residents have launched weekly protests, named ‘Mondays with Mackenzie,’ outside his Allentown office. The website for the event calls for participants to ‘stand up for our community and say no to billionaires.’ …

“In a statement, Lamont McClure, who announced his plans last month to run against Mackenzie in 2026, called out the Republican for hiding ‘behind the cover of a telephone town hall’ while hundreds of his constituents attended the rivaling in-person event in Bethlehem. Organizers say they did invite Mackenzie to attend.”

Buck County Beacon Op-Ed: Why Won’t Pennsylvania US Representatives Ryan Mackenzie and Brian Fitzpatrick Protect Medicaid for Their Constituents?

[Kristin Volchansky, 3/20/25]

“The House is taking recess this week while the future of essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP, and the fate of those who rely on them, remains unclear. Rather than using that time to meet with constituents and hear our concerns, Representatives Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) are avoiding their commitments to democracy and are hiding from us. As someone who needed Medicaid-funded coverage when I was sick, I know firsthand how critical this program is. So, it frustrates me to see them avoid their responsibility as legislators and advocates. …

“Medicaid actually gave me the freedom and agency to become physically and financially independent, and I was able to start working again in 2021. It changed my life alongside the 3.1 million other Pennsylvanians who rely on Medicaid. …

“Our community in Eastern Pennsylvania isn’t ready for what is coming if Representatives Mackenzie and Fitzpatrick and other House Republicans have their way with the budget and cut Medicaid. The $880 billion in cuts passed by the Republican-led House would blow a hole in our state budget and, according to a statement from the Pennsylvania Hospital Association, leaving over 626,000 Pennsylvanians without health coverage. I call on Representatives Mackenzie and Fitzpatrick to meet with their constituents here in Eastern Pennsylvania to hear our demands, and stand up for us in Washington against a bill that will unnecessarily hurt our families and our communities.”

In California

KERO: L.A. Congressman holds Town Hall with Kern County Residents

[Raquel Calo, 3/21/25]

“In an effort to address growing concerns in Kern County, Congressman Jimmy Gomez from Los Angeles stepped in to host a town hall meeting in Bakersfield. Residents, frustrated with the lack of attention from local representatives David Valadao and Vince Fong, turned to Gomez for answers on key federal issues.

“The town hall, which took place at the IBEW hall in Bakersfield, centered on a variety of topics, including the policies implemented under the Trump administration. Congressman Gomez expressed his concerns about the impact of these policies on the working class. ‘They’re cutting programs that the American working man and woman rely on, rely on!’ said Gomez, speaking passionately to a crowd of attentive residents.

“Many in attendance voiced their frustrations, particularly with Valadao and Fong, who were notably absent from the meeting. Residents hoped to raise their concerns directly with their local representatives, but neither had shown up to the town hall. …

“While local representatives were absent, Gomez reassured attendees that there was still hope for Kern County, particularly in the fight to protect critical programs like Medicaid and Medi-Cal. ‘So this is a real fight, and we need all of you to help us win the battle not only in the months to come but in the years to come,’ Gomez said, calling on the community to stay engaged in the ongoing political struggles that directly affect their lives.”

Bakersfield Californian: Hope, frustration mix at Democratic town hall

[Peter Segall, 3/20/25]

“Local Democrats voiced a mix of hope and frustration at a town hall meeting with state and local party members to talk about ways to push back against the Trump administration.

“More than 100 people packed into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 428 union hall Thursday evening for an event with Rep. Jimmy Gomez of Los Angeles; state Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks; and Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains, D-Delano, who represents much of Kern County.”

In Minnesota:

Post Bulletin: Walz counsels hope, not despair, during town hall at John Marshall High School

[Matthew Stolle, 3/22/25]

“One mother asked how she could protect her son with disabilities now that Trump has signed an executive order initiating the dismantling of the Department of Education. …

“The gathering had elements of a therapy session as much as a rallying of the base. One University of Minnesota Rochester student worried about going homeless, given her reliance on federally subsidized housing, Pell grants and other government assistance. …

“Walz said there is a reason that many Republicans are refusing to host town hall meetings: It would be difficult for them to defend what is happening in Washington, D.C. right now, he argued. He recalled facing a skeptical and an occasionally hostile crowd as a congressman when the Affordable Care Act was up for a vote. Walz voted for it.

“‘I was proud to defend the right to expand health care,’ Walz said. ‘I was proud to stand on the ACA. I think it would be a lot harder for them to stand on the stage and defend cutting Medicaid, cutting our public schools, and threatening Social Security.’”

KTTC: Gov. Tim Walz’s Rochester town hall draws more than 1,000 people Saturday

[Megan Zemple, 3/22/25]

“Minnesota Governor Tim Walz held a town hall meeting in Rochester Saturday, with a focus on topics such as national affairs, the Trump administration, and the state of the Democratic Party. …

“Walz called out the Trump Administration following the dismantling of the Department of Education, and claimed Minnesota, along with other states, will be fighting it in court.”

On Broadcast: 

Rep. Jimmy Gomez on MSNBC: “I heard that first that they’re scared, that they’re disappointed in their own member, that their own member who recognizes – should recognize – that … 67% of his district’s on Medicaid, and he doesn’t care, and he doesn’t listen to them. So they’re angry, they’re frustrated, they’re scared. And I want to tell them, we’re here, we’re here to listen, we’re here to help. But most importantly, we’re here to help you get organized to fight back, because the only way we’re going to take this country back is if people organize, rise up and demand changes, and if not vote them out in two years.” 

Rep. Jimmy Gomez on KBAK: “One of the things that I wanted to make very clear is that Republicans are putting forward a plan to gut Medicaid, and 67% of the people in Valadao’s district and 30% of the people in Vince Fong’s district are gonna lose health care because they’re gonna cut Medicaid. And I try to explain why when they say that’s not what they voted for, that’s just nonsense.”  

On KERO: “An LA congressman is holding a town hall, stepping in as residents say David Valadao and Vince Fong aren’t listening. ‘It’s the district with the highest percentage of people on Medicaid in the entire country.’ Congressman Jimmy Gomez traveled from Los Angeles to Kern County to hear the community’s concerns. The town hall focused on federal issues, including policies under President Trump. ‘They’re cutting programs that the American working man, woman and families rely on.’ Many residents gathered to ask questions and express concerns they hope to share with Kern County Representatives David Valadao and Vince Fong, who were not in attendance.”

On Social: 

@TheDemocrats on Instagram: Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie might be scared to show up in his district, but his constituents aren’t.

PA-07 is ready for our town hall! 📣

@TheDemocrats on Instagram: We saved Republican Ryan Mackenzie a seat at tonight’s town hall in Bethlehem, PA.

Too bad he didn’t show up.

The Democrats on X: Listen to DNC Chair Martin’s response to Republicans’ attack on kids’ health care

The Democrats on X: DNC Chair @KenMartin73 shows up at packed town hall to call out GOP congressman who refused to attend

Ken Martin on X: Elon Musk just sees numbers on a spreadsheet. Behind every one of them is a family like yours.

Ken Martin on Bluesky: Packed town hall in Bethlehem, PA tonight. Unlike their GOP Congressman, we listened to folks—in person—about what matters to them. Thank you for having us.

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