Democratic lawmaker confronted at town hall over Israel-Hamas war
Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) became the latest House Democrat to face pressure from constituents when he was confronted by attendees at a town hall Wednesday over the treatment of Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war.
Video obtained by CNN shows various attendees yelling at Casten throughout the forum, with one attendee physically confronting the congressman on stage.
“What you’re saying is I’m not going to get my way when my people are being slaughtered, and I want you to stop funding that,” shouted the man, who approached Casten.
“If you would like to run for office, run for office,” Casten responded.
“That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. You are the most souless piece of crap I have ever seen,” the attendee yelled back.
The attendee then got on stage and approached Casten, prompting the congressman to tell him to get off the stage.
According to CNN, police arrived after the confrontation and ended the forum.
Casten is the latest House Democrat to face pressure from the liberal flank of the party at a town hall during this week's congressional recess.
On Tuesday, Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey took heat from constituents in his district over the party’s response to the Trump administration.
Town halls have become a focal point of political headlines in recent weeks.
House Republicans have been pressed by attendees over a series of issues, including potential cuts to Medicaid and Social Security, as well as the actions of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, led by tech mogul Elon Musk.
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