Democrats have announced a series of town halls during the April recess for Congress, building on their efforts to combat Republicans in competitive districts.

Newsweek reached out to House Speaker Mike Johnson‘s office for comment by email on Thursday morning.

Why It Matters

Republicans faced swift backlash during the early weeks of the second Trump administration with relentless heckling at town halls from constituents who berated lawmakers over cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the unofficial agency created through executive order and nominally led by Elon Musk.

Leadership, including President Donald Trump and the house speaker, dismissed the controversy as the work of “paid troublemakers” and advised members to stop holding town halls, although some continued to do so.

What To Know

The Democrats seized on early dissatisfaction with Republicans to hold a series of “People’s Town Halls,” which featured Democrats speaking in Republican-held districts with small majorities. The initial slate of visits in March included events across Pennsylvania, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Florida, Iowa and Colorado.

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairperson Ken Martin announced a new slate of events to be held during the upcoming two-week recess for Congress, which will be held at:

• Arizona’s 6th Congressional District on April 13th, represented by Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani.
• Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District “Good Trouble Festival” on April 22nd, represented by Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan.
• Colorado’s 8th Congressional District on April 24th, represented by Republican Rep. Gabe Evans.
• North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District on April 24th represented by Republican Rep. and NRCC Chair Richard Hudson.
• Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District on April 25th, represented by Republican Rep. Ann Wagner.

Speakers will include Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, fresh off his record-breaking speech on the Senate floor; Representative Greg Stanton of Arizona; Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut; Representative Maxwell Frost of Florida; and Representative Greg Casar of Texas.

The Democrats held 71 town halls in 35 states in recent weeks—all before the tumult of the last seven days after Trump announced his massive slate of tariffs against allies and rivals alike, insisted that the tariffs were permanent, and then pulled back all “reciprocal” tariffs except those against China.

These events have also included speakers such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who at the end of March held events that reportedly drew 15,000 people and 34,000 in Arizona—the biggest crowds Sanders has spoken to, including during his presidential bids in 2015 and 2020.

What People Are Saying

DNC Chairperson Ken Martin said in press release: “In the first three weeks holding ‘People’s Town Halls,’ we’ve already convened 71 events in 35 states, and here’s the upshot: Democrats are listening, Republicans are cowering, and folks are as fired up as I’ve ever seen. In both red and blue communities, people are sick and tired of Donald Trump and Elon Musk destroying the economy, threatening health care and Social Security, and making life worse for families.”

“In April, we’re doubling down with leading Democratic voices joining even more town halls in key districts across the country. Republicans still want to pretend like their constituents don’t exist, but we believe Americans deserve to have their voices heard,” Martin added.

Representative Victoria Spartz of Indiana last month wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “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.”

Trump said in a post on Truth Social in a post on Truth Social last month wrote: “Paid ‘troublemakers’ are attending Republican Town Hall Meetings. It is all part of the game for the Democrats, but just like our big LANDSLIDE ELECTION, it’s not going to work for them!”

What Happens Next

The Democrats will continue to expand on the town hall program, and it remains to be seen if Republicans will return to holding town halls in order to counter the Democrat efforts.