1:32First District Congressman Bryan Steil conducts an in-person listening session at Elkhorn High School in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, on July 31, 2025.Mark Hertzberg/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock
During a lively town hall meeting on Thursday evening, Wisconsin Republican Rep. Bryan Steil faced boos when he voiced his endorsement of President Donald Trump's trade strategies.
An audience member challenged Steil regarding Trump's tariffs imposed on numerous U.S. trade allies.
"I genuinely believe this is a damaging tax that will fall on the citizens of the United States. I would like to understand what critical economic situations led Trump to impose tariffs on more than 190 nations?" the attendee inquired, eliciting applause from the audience. "You have permitted him to take such actions, which is unfortunate. So please clarify the severe circumstances that initiated his tariff conflicts."
Steil’s reply drew loud boos from the crowd.
"When we consider the wide-ranging tariffs exchanged with the administration, this fundamentally must be viewed as an opportunity to ensure that other nations are treating the United States equitably," the congressman remarked.
First District Congressman Bryan Steil conducts an in-person listening session at Elkhorn High School in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, on July 31, 2025.Mark Hertzberg/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock
At the Elkhorn town hall, the congressman was also questioned about various subjects, including the effects that Trump's megabill will have on Medicaid and other services.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projected that the reductions to Medicaid included in the extensive tax and spending cut legislation, which Trump enacted on July 4, would lead to 10 million Americans losing their health insurance.
First District Congressman Bryan Steil conducts an in-person listening session at Elkhorn High School in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, on July 31, 2025, as a constituent loudly critiques him from the audience.Mark Hertzberg/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock
In his response to the event on X, Steil stated "despite a small number of individuals attempting to disrupt the conversation, we had a productive dialogue regarding the issues that are most significant." He pledged to organize future events.
Some attendees were local protestors, as reported by ABC News affiliate WISN, including members of a group that last week delivered a mock cardboard coffin to Steil's residence to protest against Medicaid cuts.
Earlier this year, Rep. Richard Hudson, the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, encouraged House Republicans to focus more on virtual events rather than in-person town halls after several faced intense confrontations from constituents at such meetings.
House Democrats are also facing challenges at their town halls, encountering resistance on issues like the response to the conflict in Gaza. Earlier this week, Illinois Rep. Bill Foster, a Democrat, held a town hall event where he was repeatedly interrupted by anti-war demonstrators.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
