This weekend, voters across the country gathered at “empty chair” town halls to express their anger at Republican lawmakers who refused to meet with them.
With criticism growing over President Donald Trump’s policies—especially his plans to reduce federal agencies and shake up the civil service—Republican leaders have advised their colleagues to avoid town halls.
Instead, local activists organized packed events in Republican-leaning areas during the congressional recess that ended Sunday. They invited lawmakers, but many didn’t show up, leaving voters to express their frustration with the representatives who continue to support Trump’s administration.
In New York, voters gathered around an empty chair with a photo of Rep. Elise Stefanik. They wanted to know how she planned to represent them, as reported by Albany’s CBS affiliate WRGB.
In Montana, attendees voiced their concerns about potential cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to the Missoula Current. In Alaska, people criticized Trump for picking fights with allies like Canada while being soft on Russia, as reported by the Alaska Current.
In Anchorage, some protesters held up signs reading “Chicken Nick” and “Doormat Dan,” calling out Rep. Nick Begich and Senator Dan Sullivan. While not everyone agreed with the name-calling, many felt it was deserved.
Sen @DanSullivan_AK & Rep @NickforAlaska are back in Alaska this week, but they wouldn’t come talk to these constituents tonight.
Not pictured: 300+ people in the overflow outside in the cold.
Retweet to make sure Sullivan and Begich know Alaskans have questions! @907Initiative pic.twitter.com/mHnJIvGSW9
— Kevin Groh (@kgrohh) March 21, 2025
A longtime Republican voter expressed her disappointment with Sullivan after he voted to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “Dan, what were you thinking?!” she exclaimed. “Maybe you have a little Russian in you, Dan!”
Another attendee was furious, saying he had faced constant chaos at his job in the Small Business Administration, blaming the federal government’s mess. “Where the hell are you?” he demanded.
Sullivan later explained that he preferred smaller meetings with legislators and fundraisers, rather than engaging with angry crowds, according to the Alaska Current.
In Escondido, California, hundreds of people packed the California Center for the Arts to protest Rep. Darrell Issa. Attendees held signs demanding Issa hold a town hall and chanted “tax the rich,” as seen in a video shared on Bluesky by organizer Allison Gill.
Standing room only + overflow room @ Indivisible Empty Chair Town Hall for @repdarrellissa. He’s a no show & his constituents are ANGRY. We’re in a constitutional crisis & we need reps who will fight back! pic.twitter.com/vXAnPYEcYU
— Gladys Delgadillo (@Woman4Wildlife) March 23, 2025
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, hundreds showed up to criticize Senators Todd Young and Jim Banks and Rep. Marlin Stutzman for not holding town halls. “They’re not interested in us,” one resident told WPTA.
Banks’ spokesperson dismissed the protest, calling it a “fake town hall” and accusing the attendees of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Young’s representatives, however, stated that the senator regularly meets with constituents in different formats across Indiana.
Voters also gathered in other cities like Columbus, Ohio; Little Rock, Kansas; and Missoula, Montana, according to Talking Points Memo.
In Maryland, Rep. Andy Harris hasn’t held a town hall since 2017, The Baltimore Banner reported. Progressive group Indivisible invited Rep. Jamie Raskin to Harris’ district to answer questions at a packed middle school gym instead.
During his speech, Raskin mocked Republican claims that protesters at town halls were paid actors. Referring to Stefanik’s statement that the event was “funded by out-of-district dark money,” he told the crowd, “What’s interesting is that the people showing up are not paid protesters, but the people not showing up are paid politicians,” drawing cheers from the audience.
Honored to join the spectacular Cambridge Indivisible Town Hall in #MD01.
While MAGA ducks questions about their role in dismantling our democracy, Dems show up everywhere to hear the people and stop this assault on America. pic.twitter.com/si9Xp1sYvo
— Jamie Raskin (@jamie_raskin) March 23, 2025
