Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) was loudly booed for defending the Division of Authorities Effectivity’s (DOGE) work at a Wyoming city corridor, standing behind the advisory board’s work whereas touting the present administration’s agenda.
Hageman, who’s Wyoming’s at-large congressional consultant, backed the motion President Trump’s administration has taken to this point and introduced up her vote for the Laken Riley Act. Each subjects had been met with disapproval from the group on the Laramie Civic Middle on Wednesday night time.
However probably the most forceful rebuke of the Home lawmaker got here when she tried to defend DOGE’s work.
“DOGE is not dismantling Social Security and even with reconciliation we are not allowed to touch Social Security,” Hageman stated with loud boos coming from the group.
Attendees at one level had been shouting “Deport Elon, deport Elon, deport Elon,” referring to tech billionaire and Trump’s shut adviser Elon Musk who was tapped by the president in November final yr to supervise the advisory board that has infiltrated companies and departments. Hundreds of federal authorities employees have been fired.
One former authorities worker confronted Hageman about DOGE’s work that has been strongly opposed by Democrats in Congress, activists on the bottom and a few of its actions challenged in court docket.
A lady informed Hageman that she was fired from the Division of Agriculture a month in the past, “despite only having the highest remarks in my performance review. You are in a state where so many farmers rely on government programs for drought and disaster relief.”
“Trump’s plans to cut these programs” together with the proposed tariffs “will decimate Wyoming farms in rural communities. What are you doing about that,” the lady requested as the group broke out in cheers.
“I disagree,” Hageman responded because the boos ensued. “I come from the ag community. I am well aware of what kind of programs are out there.”
“I haven’t seen it and I don’t think that we will see it,” the Wyoming lawmaker stated. “I think that our small businesses, our ranchers and our farmers are going to be able to actually thrive in an environment where they are not so overregulated by the federal government.”
Hageman was requested by a person in attendance in Laramie, Wyo. if DOGE could possibly be carried out within the Cowboy State.
“That’s as much as all of you,” Hageman stated Wednesday. “What it comes down to is accountability. That’s all that DOGE is doing, and that’s all it’s about.”
“My view of government is that the government does work for the people, and whether it’s the federal government or the state government or the local government, every one of you should be able to ask questions,” the Wyoming Republican said. “That’s why I think that DOGE is such a brilliant thing, because when you look at what it is doing it is identifying various programs that none of us ever wanted to fund in the first place.”
One attendee requested the Home lawmaker concerning the staffing state of affairs at Grand Teton and Yellowstone Nationwide Parks.
“We’ve already checked with the Department of the Interior. They’re already in the process of hiring 5,000 seasonal employees. The national parks will be fully staffed for the upcoming season,” Hageman stated. “I have no doubt that they will be able to meet the demand.”
The present administration is taking a look at a 30 p.c payroll discount on the Nationwide Park Service, The Hill reported earlier this month. The terminations could be to payroll, subsequently wouldn’t result in a 30 p.c reduce to the Nationwide Park Service’s workers.
The hostile city corridor was attended by not less than 500 folks, The Cowboy State Day by day reported.
A day prior, Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) additionally heard an earful from constituents, with the group in Nebraska rebuking the lawmaker over Musk’s function within the overhaul of the federal authorities, Trump’s tariff agenda and Washington’s present posture on Ukraine.
Flood’s backlash got here after the Home Republican management suggested the convention to keep away from internet hosting in-person city halls and go for live-streamed variations or call-ins. The directive got here after quite a few Home GOP lawmakers had been slammed by attendees at city halls. There, attendees, equally, complained about Trump’s dealing with of the presidency.
Home Democrats haven’t been immune from backlash.
Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ailing.) was challenged by attendees with one bodily confronting him Wednesday at a city corridor over the best way Palestinians within the Gaza Strip are handled.
“What you’re saying is I’m not going to get my way when my people are being slaughtered, and I want you to stop funding that,” a person shouted.
“If you would like to run for office, run for office,” Casten stated.
“That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. You are the most soulless piece of crap I have ever seen,” the attendee responded.
The attendee acquired on stage with Casten telling him to get off. The police got here in and ended the occasion.
