SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
Almost 1,000 constituents were gathered inside the Brighton High School auditorium, many booing and shouting, "Do your job!" at Chaffetz, who is chair of the House Oversight Committee, as he claimed that presidents are exempt from conflict of interest laws. (Photo: AP)
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) was confronted by angry crowds at a town hall in Salt Lake City on Thursday, over what they saw as his failure to properly investigate President Donald Trump's conflicts of interests, in another showing of a growing resistance to the new administration.
Almost 1,000 constituents were gathered inside the Brighton High School auditorium, many booing and shouting, "Do your job!" at Chaffetz, who is chair of the House Oversight Committee, as he claimed that presidents are exempt from conflict of interest laws. At another point, when Chaffetz said he wanted to get rid of Trump's recently-confirmed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos--indeed, he wants to eliminate the Education Department as a whole--an audience member shouted, "We want to get rid of you!"
Outside, another large crowd shut out of the proceedings despite available seats chanted "vote him out," and "Chaffetz is a coward." At least one woman was arrested.
Chaffetz ultimately left 40 minutes early and refused to take questions from the press.
Republican lawmakers are increasingly facing protests at town halls and other events, as communities have been taking up the call of numerous resistance factions that formed after the election--with some inspired by the Indivisible Guide, a manual written by former congressional staffers that helps activists organize at the local level using the same tactics that Tea Party conservatives used successfully against former President Barack Obama.
\u201c.@jasoninthehouse At the town hall. At least 800 people inside. More outside who won't be let in. Doesn't start for another 30 mins.\u201d— Utah Indivisible (@Utah Indivisible) 1486690550
Indeed, constituents also showed up to Republican Rep. Diane Black's town hall in her home state of Tennessee, where an "Ask Your Rep" event in Murfreesboro saw at least 100 people asking impassioned questions about Republicans' plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare.
Jessi Bohon, a 35-year-old high school teacher from Cookeville, asked Black how Congress could justify "punishing our sickest people" instead of expanding Medicare to be accessible to all people, a question which elicited loud applause from the audience.
"About 20 million people did actually come into the program who were uninsured," Black said. "You don't want to hurt one group of people to help the another. We can help both groups at the same time."
Bohon replied, "How many of those people were in states where they played a political game with people's lives?"
Black, who appeared flustered by the question, responded, "I'm going to pass on this one."
\u201cSeriously urge everyone to watch this entire question from a woman at GOP #Obamacare townhall in Tennessee:\u201d— MJ Lee (@MJ Lee) 1486694772
Black was joined at the event by two other Republican local officials. At one point, GOP State Rep. Mike Sparks told the audience, "I'll be honest with you. As a state representative, I got health insurance. I feel a little guilty."
Multiple attendees could be heard responding, "You should."
More than 600 people also turned up at a town hall in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Republican Rep. Justin Amash stayed late to answer questions from a more temperate audience.
The large crowds and vocal protests were notable not just for their willingness to confront lawmakers, but also because they took place in the deep-red states of Utah and Tennessee--an indication to many that the Indivisible Guide, among other resistance movements, is succeeding.
\u201cTo all politicians \nWhere ever u appear, \nWe the people will b there, \nshowing u what democracy looks like \n#TheResistance #ChaffetzTownHall\u201d— Penny K\u2122 \ud83d\udcce \u2744\ufe0f (@Penny K\u2122 \ud83d\udcce \u2744\ufe0f) 1486702689
\u201cThis is so encouraging. A model for every town hall in the nation for the next 2, 4, 6, 8 years - whatever it takes. Bravo @UtahIndivisible https://t.co/nor80g3BF5\u201d— Jennifer Hayden (@Jennifer Hayden) 1486702638
In TENNESSEE a woman at a town hall just said "why don't we expand Medicaid so everyone can have insurance?" & the room applauded
-- Molly (@AlbinoHorse) February 10, 2017
\u201cExact same thing here in Tennessee. Lots of first time participants in anything political > https://t.co/UYAqL1U8BB\u201d— MJ Lee (@MJ Lee) 1486692822
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) was confronted by angry crowds at a town hall in Salt Lake City on Thursday, over what they saw as his failure to properly investigate President Donald Trump's conflicts of interests, in another showing of a growing resistance to the new administration.
Almost 1,000 constituents were gathered inside the Brighton High School auditorium, many booing and shouting, "Do your job!" at Chaffetz, who is chair of the House Oversight Committee, as he claimed that presidents are exempt from conflict of interest laws. At another point, when Chaffetz said he wanted to get rid of Trump's recently-confirmed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos--indeed, he wants to eliminate the Education Department as a whole--an audience member shouted, "We want to get rid of you!"
Outside, another large crowd shut out of the proceedings despite available seats chanted "vote him out," and "Chaffetz is a coward." At least one woman was arrested.
Chaffetz ultimately left 40 minutes early and refused to take questions from the press.
Republican lawmakers are increasingly facing protests at town halls and other events, as communities have been taking up the call of numerous resistance factions that formed after the election--with some inspired by the Indivisible Guide, a manual written by former congressional staffers that helps activists organize at the local level using the same tactics that Tea Party conservatives used successfully against former President Barack Obama.
\u201c.@jasoninthehouse At the town hall. At least 800 people inside. More outside who won't be let in. Doesn't start for another 30 mins.\u201d— Utah Indivisible (@Utah Indivisible) 1486690550
Indeed, constituents also showed up to Republican Rep. Diane Black's town hall in her home state of Tennessee, where an "Ask Your Rep" event in Murfreesboro saw at least 100 people asking impassioned questions about Republicans' plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare.
Jessi Bohon, a 35-year-old high school teacher from Cookeville, asked Black how Congress could justify "punishing our sickest people" instead of expanding Medicare to be accessible to all people, a question which elicited loud applause from the audience.
"About 20 million people did actually come into the program who were uninsured," Black said. "You don't want to hurt one group of people to help the another. We can help both groups at the same time."
Bohon replied, "How many of those people were in states where they played a political game with people's lives?"
Black, who appeared flustered by the question, responded, "I'm going to pass on this one."
\u201cSeriously urge everyone to watch this entire question from a woman at GOP #Obamacare townhall in Tennessee:\u201d— MJ Lee (@MJ Lee) 1486694772
Black was joined at the event by two other Republican local officials. At one point, GOP State Rep. Mike Sparks told the audience, "I'll be honest with you. As a state representative, I got health insurance. I feel a little guilty."
Multiple attendees could be heard responding, "You should."
More than 600 people also turned up at a town hall in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Republican Rep. Justin Amash stayed late to answer questions from a more temperate audience.
The large crowds and vocal protests were notable not just for their willingness to confront lawmakers, but also because they took place in the deep-red states of Utah and Tennessee--an indication to many that the Indivisible Guide, among other resistance movements, is succeeding.
\u201cTo all politicians \nWhere ever u appear, \nWe the people will b there, \nshowing u what democracy looks like \n#TheResistance #ChaffetzTownHall\u201d— Penny K\u2122 \ud83d\udcce \u2744\ufe0f (@Penny K\u2122 \ud83d\udcce \u2744\ufe0f) 1486702689
\u201cThis is so encouraging. A model for every town hall in the nation for the next 2, 4, 6, 8 years - whatever it takes. Bravo @UtahIndivisible https://t.co/nor80g3BF5\u201d— Jennifer Hayden (@Jennifer Hayden) 1486702638
In TENNESSEE a woman at a town hall just said "why don't we expand Medicaid so everyone can have insurance?" & the room applauded
-- Molly (@AlbinoHorse) February 10, 2017
\u201cExact same thing here in Tennessee. Lots of first time participants in anything political > https://t.co/UYAqL1U8BB\u201d— MJ Lee (@MJ Lee) 1486692822
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) was confronted by angry crowds at a town hall in Salt Lake City on Thursday, over what they saw as his failure to properly investigate President Donald Trump's conflicts of interests, in another showing of a growing resistance to the new administration.
Almost 1,000 constituents were gathered inside the Brighton High School auditorium, many booing and shouting, "Do your job!" at Chaffetz, who is chair of the House Oversight Committee, as he claimed that presidents are exempt from conflict of interest laws. At another point, when Chaffetz said he wanted to get rid of Trump's recently-confirmed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos--indeed, he wants to eliminate the Education Department as a whole--an audience member shouted, "We want to get rid of you!"
Outside, another large crowd shut out of the proceedings despite available seats chanted "vote him out," and "Chaffetz is a coward." At least one woman was arrested.
Chaffetz ultimately left 40 minutes early and refused to take questions from the press.
Republican lawmakers are increasingly facing protests at town halls and other events, as communities have been taking up the call of numerous resistance factions that formed after the election--with some inspired by the Indivisible Guide, a manual written by former congressional staffers that helps activists organize at the local level using the same tactics that Tea Party conservatives used successfully against former President Barack Obama.
\u201c.@jasoninthehouse At the town hall. At least 800 people inside. More outside who won't be let in. Doesn't start for another 30 mins.\u201d— Utah Indivisible (@Utah Indivisible) 1486690550
Indeed, constituents also showed up to Republican Rep. Diane Black's town hall in her home state of Tennessee, where an "Ask Your Rep" event in Murfreesboro saw at least 100 people asking impassioned questions about Republicans' plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare.
Jessi Bohon, a 35-year-old high school teacher from Cookeville, asked Black how Congress could justify "punishing our sickest people" instead of expanding Medicare to be accessible to all people, a question which elicited loud applause from the audience.
"About 20 million people did actually come into the program who were uninsured," Black said. "You don't want to hurt one group of people to help the another. We can help both groups at the same time."
Bohon replied, "How many of those people were in states where they played a political game with people's lives?"
Black, who appeared flustered by the question, responded, "I'm going to pass on this one."
\u201cSeriously urge everyone to watch this entire question from a woman at GOP #Obamacare townhall in Tennessee:\u201d— MJ Lee (@MJ Lee) 1486694772
Black was joined at the event by two other Republican local officials. At one point, GOP State Rep. Mike Sparks told the audience, "I'll be honest with you. As a state representative, I got health insurance. I feel a little guilty."
Multiple attendees could be heard responding, "You should."
More than 600 people also turned up at a town hall in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Republican Rep. Justin Amash stayed late to answer questions from a more temperate audience.
The large crowds and vocal protests were notable not just for their willingness to confront lawmakers, but also because they took place in the deep-red states of Utah and Tennessee--an indication to many that the Indivisible Guide, among other resistance movements, is succeeding.
\u201cTo all politicians \nWhere ever u appear, \nWe the people will b there, \nshowing u what democracy looks like \n#TheResistance #ChaffetzTownHall\u201d— Penny K\u2122 \ud83d\udcce \u2744\ufe0f (@Penny K\u2122 \ud83d\udcce \u2744\ufe0f) 1486702689
\u201cThis is so encouraging. A model for every town hall in the nation for the next 2, 4, 6, 8 years - whatever it takes. Bravo @UtahIndivisible https://t.co/nor80g3BF5\u201d— Jennifer Hayden (@Jennifer Hayden) 1486702638
In TENNESSEE a woman at a town hall just said "why don't we expand Medicaid so everyone can have insurance?" & the room applauded
-- Molly (@AlbinoHorse) February 10, 2017
\u201cExact same thing here in Tennessee. Lots of first time participants in anything political > https://t.co/UYAqL1U8BB\u201d— MJ Lee (@MJ Lee) 1486692822