https://www.cbsnews.com/news/republicans-confronted-constituents-angry-trump-musk-doge-cuts/
POLITICS
GOP lawmakers confronted by constituents angry with Trump-Musk cuts
By
Caitlin Yilek, Jaala Brown
February 21, 2025 / 5:00 PM EST / CBS News
Several Republican lawmakers have faced backlash from constituents in recent days over President Trump's sweeping cuts to the federal government, which have been spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency, a task force led by Elon Musk.
With the House in recess, many members of Congress have held town halls and attended other events in their districts this week, giving their constituents a chance to confront lawmakers in person to express their discontent about budget cuts and the layoffs of federal workers by DOGE.
Rep. Rich McCormick, a Georgia Republican, clashed with constituents throughout a packed town hall in Roswell on Thursday. One attendee pressed McCormick on why the administration was taking "such a radical and extremist and sloppy approach" to the layoffs, noting that the administration has tried to rehire some employees working on bird flu and the nation's nuclear weapons programs after they were fired.
Another, who said she was a descendent of Patrick Henry's sisters, said "tyranny is rising in the White House" and Mr. Trump has "declared himself king." She pressed McCormick on what he would do to "rein in the megalomaniac in the White House."
"When you talk about tyranny, when you talk about presidential power, I remember having the same discussion with Republicans when Biden was elected," McCormick responded.
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Maggie Goldman, who lives in Roswell's district, told CBS News that she helped organize some of the people who attended the town hall, adding that many were not supporters of Mr. Trump.
"I think there were conservatives there," Goldman said. "I think there were Republicans there that were also not happy. I think the person who asked the question about firing was basically saying he was conservative, and he's like, we do want to cut down where we need to, but you do that methodically."