Editorial Revision 3/31 – The original article stated over 1,000 people were in attendance. The article has been revised to better reflect attendance.
Michigan Democratic Rep. Hillary Scholten hosted a town hall in Grand Rapids on Thursday, March 27. The event, held at Grand Rapids Christian High School, was packed with hundreds of community members aiming to voice their concerns regarding government and the current political system.
Throughout the town hall, Scholten discussed the existence of social services, and encouraged Republican members of Congress to stand up against President Donald Trump. She also emphasized constituents’ power in elections and the role of the legislative branch in checking executive powers.
Being town halls are funded by tax dollars, Scholten was unable to advocate for voting a certain way or another. This was Scholten’s sixth town hall since Trump was inaugurated, and she held another in Grand Haven the following day.
In her opening remarks, Scholten began by thanking the crowd for showing up and asked audience members to raise their hands if they felt confident and positive about the country’s direction. Not a single audience member raised their hand.
“Since (Trump) began his second term, my office has received thousands, literally thousands, of phone calls expressing outrage at the direction of our country, indignation over the actions of Elon Musk and DOGE, and fear over whether they or a loved one might lose access to healthcare, Social Security or their housing,” Scholten said.
Scholten aimed to assure weary attendees that she wanted to meet in person to address their anxieties. She proceeded to take a shot at Michigan Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga, who has only held town halls over the phone since 2018.
Throughout the town hall, both Trump and Musk’s names were met with boos from the audience. Constituents voiced particular concern over executive overreach, cuts to Medicaid and Trump’s order that calls for the Department of Education’s dismantling.
Near the end of the town hall, fear and anger boiled to the surface as an audience member asked if Scholten and the Democratic Party have a plan in place to protest against “extreme events.”
“If we get to the place where the President is turning the military on his own people and we are under martial law, yes there is a plan for that,” Scholten claimed. “Congress has the power to stop martial law and the Democrats will certainly push back against it. We will need everybody and I hope Republicans will join us.”
Caleb Alman, of Kalamazoo, told the Congresswoman he was willing to give the Democratic Party “a level of leeway after losing the election,” but that he wants Democrats to fight harder. According to Alman, he wants the party to give people long-term hope instead of short-term relief.
Jim Lykins, of Kentwood, asked the Congresswoman whether any Republicans are willing to work with Democrats to object to certain policies.
“One of the most frustrating things in Congress right now is the number of Republicans who will pull me aside and say, ‘I can’t believe this is happening but there’s nothing I can do about it,’” said Scholten.
Several audience members yelled “No!” in response.
“I know it can be uncomfortable, but our duty is not to any political party or institution,” Scholten added. “Our duty is to the Constitution.”
