A routine town hall in Wylie, Texas, turned into a heated battleground as Representative Keith Self faced an angry crowd.
The frustration boiled over as voters expressed outrage over sweeping federal budget cuts imposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly established agency led by Elon Musk.
Chants of “vote you out!” echoed through the Collin College Conference Center, signaling growing unrest in the district.
The budget cuts, which slashed funding for key government programs, have led to job losses and economic uncertainty.
Self, a staunch supporter of DOGE’s aggressive cost-cutting measures, attempted to defend the budget resolution passed by the House.
However, his explanations were met with boos, jeers, and visible frustration from the crowd.
Outside the venue, protesters gathered with signs demanding the restoration of federal funding. Inside, tensions escalated as attendees repeatedly interrupted Self, showing thumbs-down gestures and shouting over his remarks.
The Collin County GOP later claimed that Democratic operatives had orchestrated the disruption, but the frustration inside the hall was palpable and widespread.
Local Democratic leader Jeremy Sutka applauded the engaged audience, calling their pushback “a powerful display of democracy in action.” He criticized Self’s alignment with DOGE’s policies, arguing that reckless budget slashes were destabilizing the economy.
Meanwhile, Self took to X (formerly Twitter) after the event, thanking attendees for the “spirited discussion.” However, his post was met with an onslaught of negative responses, with many users vowing to vote against him in the next election.
Texas isn’t alone in experiencing political turbulence over DOGE’s budget cuts. Similar confrontations have erupted in other Republican-led districts:
- Idaho: A woman was forcibly removed from a town hall after challenging lawmakers on Medicaid and reproductive rights.
- Kansas: Senator Roger Marshall faced relentless heckling in Oakley, where farmers and veterans voiced outrage over funding freezes impacting their livelihoods.
These incidents highlight a growing national divide, as economic concerns push constituents to challenge their representatives more aggressively.
DOGE’s budget cuts are expected to continue, amplifying public frustration and potential economic instability. With the 2026 midterms approaching, events like Self’s town hall could be a preview of shifting voter sentiment.
Republican lawmakers nationwide must now navigate an increasingly volatile political landscape. If the anger seen in Wylie spreads further, it could reshape election outcomes and force major policy reconsiderations.
