Rep. Mike Flood’s Town Hall Derails as Angry Constituents Shout Him Down

LINCOLN, Neb. — Boos. Jeering. Laughter. As Republicans over August recess try to sell voters on President Donald Trump’s sweeping budget law and the rest of his agenda, Rep. Mike Flood’s town hall on Monday gave an indication of how hard making that case may be.

The lawmaker faced an auditorium full of protesters who barely let him get any words out without interruption, raging about everything from the Epstein files to health care. If town halls speak to broader political moments, this one was a release valve for frustration over what’s happening in Washington.

At one point Flood, who represents a safely red district that both he and Trump won in 2024, was asked to explain why Democrats were wrong in labeling Republicans’ budget law a “disaster.” “I think I’ve done a good job tonight of giving you my opinion on the ‘one big, beautiful bill,” Flood, who supported it, said. “Hey, is any bill perfect? No. Is any bill going to get everybody to sign on and say yes? But this bill did pass. It was signed by the president, and just like the major achievements of prior administrations, this one will provide certainty to Americans on what their taxes will be going into 2026.”

The heckling and energy from the crowd of more than 700 people that filled the auditorium reached levels that locals usually reserve for opponents of their hometown football team, the Cornhuskers.

Flood is one of few Republicans holding town halls, and of those who are hosting them, many have taken steps to tighten up who gets a question in. It’s led to the frustration of many of their constituents.

“This is part of the process. This is the town square. Sometimes it’s the loudest voices, sometimes it’s some of the quietest. They’re all here to take in democracy at this level, and it’s my job to answer their questions. A great majority of people in the 1st Congressional District see things in line with, I think, where I am on a lot of the issues. That doesn’t mean it’s always right,” Flood told reporters afterwards, in response to a question from NOTUS about what town halls like his tell Republicans about how to make the case for the budget law.

“Putting yourself in this situation gives me an opportunity to hear what the concerns are out there,” Flood added.

During the nearly hour-and-a-half town hall, Flood tried to speak to a broader audience tuning in.

“I want to talk to the people at home for just a second. I’m on your side. I never forget who I’m working for. People in this room are important, but everybody in this state has a voice. Everybody in this district has a voice. And there’s a lot of people in this state that like the direction that this country is going,” Flood said as the crowd erupted. “I’m not saying it’s perfect, and I’m not saying we can never do better, but I’m here to listen to you.”

“You’re fired,” one of the protesters yelled back.

As the town hall continued, constituents stayed lined up to ask questions, often egged on by community members and receiving standing ovations, or booed down if they indicated support for Flood.

“It’s been reported many times in the news that there are a number of your ‘R’ colleagues, Republican colleagues, who do not like [Trump], and they speak against him behind closed doors in private. Maybe you’re one of them. There is a thing, profiles in courage. Why don’t any of you? Because you know better. What is wrong with you?” one attendee asked, after listing examples of what he saw as the Trump administration’s descent into “fascism.”

The crowd erupted in support of the person asking the question.

“If you give me a chance to answer his question. I’d be happy to,” Flood responded. He waited several seconds. “Fascists don’t hold town halls with open question-and-answer series.”

Ahead of the town hall, Flood stood outside to walk along the line of people that stretched around the auditorium in downtown Lincoln and shake hands with voters. For the voters who pressed him then, he reminded them that he was there to listen and that they’re all Nebraskans.

Nearby, Bob Obst, an 82-year-old Republican who lives in Lincoln, said he had shown up because he wanted to show support for Flood.

“It just seems like to me, every time there’s a town hall meeting, everyone that’s in blue shows up. So a bunch of us decided, well, maybe we ought to start showing up, find out just exactly what’s going on and what’s being said.”

“I just decided, maybe it’s time for a few of the guys in the red to show up,” Obst said.

Inside, the crowd did not sound red.