Rep. Mike Flood (R-NEB.) City Hall booed and shouted lawmakers throughout the event, including Elon Musk, Trump's tariffs and White House's stance on Ukraine on Tuesday night, asking questions about the White House's stance on Ukraine.
The flood, representing Nebraska's first council district, hosted the City Hall in Columbus, Nebraska. House GOP leaders advise against avoiding member city halls and hosting phone and live streaming versions instead. The guidance comes after several GOP lawmakers' town halls went viral due to protests and complaints about the Trump administration, where Republicans denounced democratic activists.
Flood's City Hall had been running for over an hour – was nervous from the start. The crowd booed some of the lawmakers' reactions, screaming back at what he said, cheering as voters raised complaints. At one point, attendees had signs that read “liar.”
At one of the most violent moments, attendees criticized the floodphone Ukrainian President Voldimi Zelensky's actions were “disrespectful” after a tense meeting with Trump last month.
“First of all, I want to be embarrassed,” attendees said. “I'd be embarrassed about your comments. Your quote said, “President Zelensky's approach today is disrespectful to President Trump and undermines his goal of bringing peace.”
Comments came after the flood in response to previous questions, saying he supported Ukraine, voted for the previous aid package, urging the crowd applause, thinking that Kiev didn't need to abandon the land in Russia.
At another point, the flood was accused of doing little to help its members' concerns.
“In the last few minutes, I heard you support NATO, don't allow social security cuts, support Ukraine, but say the story is cheap,” said the individual. “Our President, our Vice President and Elon Musk, they humiliated the United States because we made them fail.”
“We have failed to support democracy. Instead, we have a president who openly supports Putin. I have called your office many times and I have received an answer from you. “You did nothing. When are you going to do something?”
The room exploded with applause. Flood pointed to his previous support for Ukraine, saying, “Unfortunately, you're wrong.”
At one point, Flood tried to tell the crowd when he cried out during his response to a question about Medicare amputation, screaming “Let's stay calm.”
“Calm down, calm, calm, calm, and calm. And if you ask me a question, let me answer the questions,” he said. “If you're going to ask me a question, you have to let me answer the question.”
In addition to Rep. Chuck Edwards (RN.C.), the Flood is one of the few House GOP councillors who held an in-person town hall during this week's break. Flood – The self-proclaimed pragmatic co-chair of the Main Street Caucus has represented his district since 2022, earning over 20% points reelection in November.
Audiences at the town hall on Tuesday night were particularly upset in conversations surrounding masks and the government's Department of Efficiency (DOGE). At one point, Flood said, “I support Elon Musk and Doge.”
At another moment, attendees pushed the flood on what he did to push Musk and Trump back. The woman focused on reports that DOGE employees had access to highly sensitive databases at federal agencies.
“You talk about national security, but you did nothing to stop Elon Musk and his little band tech nerd,” the woman said. “They were going in and reading write access to the institution, and that's a big national security threat.”
“The fact that you haven't done anything to stand up to him, and that I'm in support of Trump, I support Elon Musk, that's not enough, it's fine,” she added. “We need to take action. We need to get real cybersecurity experts in to make sure the government is safe because Trump is in Putin's pocket.
At another point, when asked, “What are you doing to stop the unelected, unidentified Elon Musk's activities?”, Flood says, “I know I don't agree with what Musk is doing. I know I don't agree with the way this is being unfolded, but this is the process I'm using to find waste, fraud, and abuse.”
There was also a huge push from the audience when Trump was threatened with being imposed on the tariffs he placed on the country, rising prices across the country, and lower stock markets. The flood erupted in screams, as Trump claimed he had “successfully” used tariffs during his first term.
“The only way this works is when people, you have the opportunity to answer questions. What message do you send to these Columbus high school students?” he said, referring to the students in the room. “I don't think your high school civic teachers will support that action.”
“They wouldn't support yours either,” replied someone in the crowd.
Shortly afterwards, the crowd erupted with boos when the flood said there was a “adjusting period” on tariffs.
Earlier in the event Tuesday, Flood explained why they decided to hold an in-person town hall over leadership advice.
However, he hinted at the room's dissatisfaction.
“I know that some of you in this room are angry. I know that some of you in this room are emotional. I know that some of you in this room are concerned. I also know that there are people in this room who feel very strongly in the opposite direction. “What I want to do tonight is here. I want you to feel comfortable with what you want me to know, but let these students get educated in our democracy when someone else is in the microphone or when I'm interacting with someone.”
