Indiana Republican becomes latest to face uproar from angry constituents at town hall

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A town hall meeting hosted by controversial Indiana Republican Victoria Spartz descended into chaos after the congresswoman gave apparently unsatisfactory answers to several questions from constituents.

The room erupted with boos and chants on Friday after Spartz said she would not be calling for the resignation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other members of the so-called Signalgate group chat.

“Would you demand the immediate resignation of Pete Hegseth, Michael Waltz and the rest of the group chat?” one woman asked, prompting cheers and chants of “lock him up” from others in the room.

Ukrainian-born Republican U.S. Representative Victoria Spartz was interrupted multiple times and booed by constituents at a town hall meeting in Muncie, Indiana, on Saturday (REUTERS)

The room erupted with boos and chants on Saturday after Spartz said she would not be calling for the resignation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other members of the so-called Signalgate group chat – which was revealed on Monday (REUTERS)

“No I will not demand their resignations,” Spartz replied, sparking an angry response. “And actually all of the resignations go through the Senate anyway so you should talk to the Senators, maybe they’ll have town halls.”

Spartz, who was born in Ukraine but emigrated to the United States in 2000 at the age of 22, later referred to the incident, in which classified information about U.S. military operations in Yemen was discussed on Signal, a commercial messaging service, and also inadvertently shared with a journalist from The Atlantic, as an “innocent mistake” – prompting more vocal responses.

Elsewhere at the town hall, attendees confronted Spartz about the Trump administration’s actions and her past vote against aid for Ukraine. “I just wonder why that you don’t want to support your own people?” one attendee said, per CNN.

Angry constituents express themselves during a townhall hosted by Victoria Spartz. Throughout the evening the congresswoman was interrupted by loud shouting, as well as some constituents who walked out of the event – encouraging others to follow suit (REUTERS)

Spartz attempted to win back the crowd but was drowned out multiple times by boos and other loud vocal protests (REUTERS)

“My number one job as an American congresswoman is to protect interests, American interests, and make sure that your money, when we give it to any foreign power is —” Spartz began to reply before being cut off by the crowd.

The congresswoman has been an advocate for U.S. support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia, but has been critical of the Kyiv government – as well as prime minister Volodymyr Zelensky. Last year she also voted against $61 billion in aid for Ukraine.

Throughout the rest of the event Spartz was interrupted by loud shouting, as well as some constituents who walked out of the event – encouraging others to follow suit.

Saturday’s town hall followed an equally raucous event on Friday. That crowd became enraged after Spartz told them: "If you violated the law, you are not entitled to due process."

Attendees confronted Spartz about the Trump administration’s actions and her past vote against aid for Ukraine (REUTERS)

Demonstraters protest outside the venue of a townhall hosted by Victoria Spartz. The congresswoman has been a controversial figure for some time having last year faced an investigation by the House ethics committee over alleged ‘abuse’ of staffers (REUTERS)

The congresswoman later hit back on social media, lashing out at what she called ‘the radical left’ (REUTERS)

Writing on X following the event, the congresswoman wrote: “I don’t think radical left has learned yet that shouting and screaming is not going to work - no one is going to be intimidated.

“I still appreciate everyone who came to my town halls this week & hope at least some on the left were able to hear common sense policies we are trying to implement benefiting all Americans.”

Spartz has been a controversial figure for some time. Last year she faced an investigation by the House ethics committee over alleged “abuse” of staffers.

The allegations were first reported by Politico, which cited multiple complaints over the congresswoman’s “general toxicity” and “rage.” Staffers claimed Spartz asked one to die for her and said she would constantly berate her staff calling them “r******” and “children” resulting in multiple resignations from her office.

Author

Author's archive

Reader's opinions

You must be logged into post a comment.

Call-in Numbers: 917-633-8191 / 201-880-5508

Now Playing

Title

Artist

Author

Reader's opinions

Leave a Reply