Texas Republican Congressman Keith Self faced a wave of jeers, heckling, and fierce verbal opposition during a tense town hall event, as frustrated constituents repeatedly interrupted him with chants of “vote you out!”
Newsweek has contacted Self’s office for further comment via email outside of normal office hours.
Why It Matters
Self was frequently interrupted by boos from the crowd of more than 300 people, many of whom gave thumbs-down gestures as he referenced cuts made by Elon Musk‘s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The recently established DOGE, led by President Donald Trump‘s close confidant and tech billionaire Musk, is focused on slashing federal spending and has already dissected multiple key federal agencies.
This has led to job losses, which have impacted Americans up and down the country.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
What To Know
Around two dozen protesters gathered outside the Collin College Conference Center in Wylie to greet Self as he arrived for a town hall meeting.
Self opened the March 1 town hall by discussing the budget resolution that narrowly passed the U.S. House.
During the town hall, the GOP lawmaker mentioned DOGE and was met with a wave of backlash from furious constituents who appeared to be upset with the cuts.
Collin County GOP has claimed that the audience members jeering were Democrats who “showed up only to cause disruptions.”
This town hall happened in a deep red state that has been in Republican control since 1968.
According to the Princeton Herald, Self took 19 questions from constituents on DOGE, Ukraine, and Medicaid.
Angry constituents across the United States have expressed concerns at Republican town halls, highlighting a growing pattern of public frustration over GOP policies.
In Iowa, tensions escalated at another Republican town hall when a woman was forcibly removed after pressing lawmakers on Medicaid and reproductive rights.
Teresa Borrenpohl was pushed to the ground and then dragged out by Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris and three private security guards at the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee legislative town hall while onlookers watched, with some booing and some cheering.
What People Are Saying
Keith Self said in a post on X: “Thank you to everyone who attended my Koffee with Keith town hall event yesterday. It was a great opportunity to connect with my constituents in TX-03. We are truly blessed to live in America, the greatest nation on earth, where our freedoms allows us to gather, speak our minds, and shape the future of our country!”
Collin County GOP said in a post on X: “This morning, Congressman Keith Self hosted a town hall to connect with constituents, but unfortunately, many Democrats showed up only to cause disruptions. We’ve seen multiple videos where, instead of engaging in meaningful discussion protesters resorted to shouting over his responses.”
Aaron Fritschner, deputy chief of staff for Rep. Don Beyer, said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “Just spotted this on YouTube, from Rep. Keith Self’s town hall in Wylie, Texas earlier today. Another large, angry crowd at a Republican town hall in a deep red district.”
Jeremy Sutka, chair of the Collin County Democratic Party, said: “We have waited here for a peaceful protest and let him know that he represents us too.”
What Happens Next
The effects of DOGE’s budget cuts are expected to continue affecting Americans, with further job losses anticipated.
As frustration grows, town hall tensions may shape campaign strategies, voter turnout, and policy decisions leading to the 2026 midterms.