700 people showed up to Rep. Raul Labrador's town hall last night. They were not happy.
Idaho Rep. Raul Labrador is the latest Republican to face a firing squad of his own constituents during a rowdy town hall Wednesday night in the town of Meridian. "I actually like it," an upbeat Labrador told the crowd. "I'm used to getting booed. I get it at home all the time."
Labrador was heavily questioned about President Trump's decision not to release his tax returns, to which he said: "I don't think that there's anything in the law that requires the president to provide his tax returns. There's nothing in the law." His stance did little to settle the crowd, drawing a loud boo in response, The Spokesman-Review reports.
Another questioner said, "You seem very concerned about the well-being of children before they're born, but I'm wondering what happens to that compassion going forward?" Another wanted to know, "Where do you get your health care?" The Spokesman-Review adds that "many in the crowd waved green sheets of paper to show they agreed — usually with the questioner, not with Labrador."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The crowd, which numbered about 700, also started up a chant of "Do your job! Do your job!"
Labrador had originally planned to speak for just 90 minutes, but he participated in the back-and-forth for nearly double that. "I don't mind if you boo me or if you yell at me," Labrador had told the crowd before they began. "That's fine," he said. "That's part of the process."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
How the UK's electric car plans took a wrong turn
The Explainer Car manufacturers are struggling to meet 'stringent' targets for electric vehicle sales
By Abby Wilson Published
-
Irish election: what's at stake?
Today's Big Question Weakened centrist coalition of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil parties may have to share power with conservative independents
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Best UK literary festivals of 2025
The Week Recommends From Hay and Cheltenham to Henley and Oxford, here are some of the year's top events for book lovers
By Tess Foley-Cox Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published