Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall became the latest Republican elected to Congress to become the target of boos and shouting during a local town hall meeting Saturday, which he blamed as an astroturfing effort by “Democrat operatives.”
The blowback by critics of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts to federal employment and programs targets House Republicans in their respective districts, prompting discussions of suspending such events to avoid perceived sabotage. The town hall meetings were organized to occur during the first recess of the 119th Congress, allowing members to more widely engage with their constituents at home than from Washington.
For example, Republican Texas Rep. Pete Sessions, aiming to discuss the progress of the Trump administration’s first month in office, experienced targeted criticism during a Feb. 22 town hall, video shows. Republican Georgia Rep. Rich McCormick also faced loud jeering and booing Feb. 20 when responding to privacy concerns of DOGE head Elon Musk’s being privy to government data.
In addition, Wisconsin Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, denying the GOP adopted a cult-like mindset, faced testy exchanges about DOGE’s cuts, the war in Ukraine and the pursuit of its end during a Feb. 20 town hall, according to TMJ4. The Washington County Democratic Party reportedly encouraged critics to make their voices heard by showing up with signs. Fellow Republican Wisconsin Rep. Glenn Grothman was greeted with boos and jeers from attendees who could not secure a seat in the Feb. 21 event in Algoma, video shared by Wisconsin Public Radio shows.
Senator Marshall’s event in Oakley, Kansas began around 9:00 a.m. local time, and lasted about 40 minutes, according to KSN. After experiencing disruptions, Marshall called out to those in the crowd who interrupted him as he took questions written on note cards from audience members, the outlet noted.
“I’m going to say this one time: if you all keep cutting me off, if you’re rude —which you’re being — I’m going to leave. The people from Oakley don’t deserve this,” he said. “If you’re going to keep interrupting me, we’re not going to do this. If you have a question, you can write them down and turn them in; my staff will get them all.”
Senator Roger Marshall booed at northwest Kansas town hall https://t.co/73tj6HqPOg
— KSN News Wichita (@KSNNews) March 2, 2025
An unspecified portion of the audience continuously called out criticisms and questions throughout the meeting, according to the outlet. Marshall later said it was “one of the rudest audiences I’ve ever had.” (RELATED: ‘He Helps Me’: Rally Crowd Boos Lindsey Graham After Trump Shout-Out).
The meeting abruptly wrapped up after crowd members began discussing the Trump administration’s cuts to federal employment and funding freezes impacting veterans, KCUR reported.
“I want to thank you for coming out here, takes a lot of guts,” local Chuck Nunn said at the meeting, KSN reported. “But I think the way we are going about it is so wrong because there are unintended consequences.”
“I support the veterans. What you’re doing right now, what the government is doing right now, as far as cutting out those jobs, a huge percent of those people — and I know that you care about the veterans — are veterans. And that is a damn shame. That is a damn shame,” he continued.
“I’m not a democrat, but I’m worried about the veterans,” another man in the crowd added, attracting applause.
“Well, I yielded to one [of] my elders, and I appreciate his comments,” Marshall said in response. “We don’t have time for everyone to stand up. I do got two more commitments today. I appreciate everybody making the drive out, and God bless America. Thank you.”
As the senator began to exit, the crowd could be heard shouting, “You’re not done!” before a wave of boos.
“We’re gonna vote you out!” one woman reportedly exclaimed.
Marshall’s chief of staff, Brent Robertson, told KSN after the meeting the event was “sabotaged” by “Democrat operatives.”
“Democrat operatives who couldn’t place Oakley, Kansas on a map before today sabotaged a local town hall — even still, Senator Marshall stayed and answered every question that was asked for 45 minutes,” Robertson said in a statement to the outlet. “Real Kansans overwhelmingly support President Trump’s DOGE initiative, shrinking the size of the federal government, and firing career bureaucrats. Local Oakley citizens had no clue who these people were. Senator Marshall is to be commended for staying as long as he did.”
Marshall, then a congressman, emerged victorious in the 2020 general election, defeating his Democratic opponent, state senator and fellow physician Barbara Bollier, approximately 53.2%-41.8%. He succeeded Republican Sen. Pat Roberts, who opted to not run for a fifth term in the Senate.
Editor’s note: This report and its headlines have been updated and reorganized with additional details for accuracy.