Protests are steadily gathering steam across the country and "ruby red" Kentucky is no exception — with the most recent events in Louisville highlighting opposition to potential Medicaid cuts, a Frankfort gathering protesting privatization of the postal service, and a Paducah protest that saw demonstrators dressed as chickens, calling out Congressman James Comer for being too "chicken" to host a town hall.
Signs have targeted Elon Musk and his cost-cutting group known as DOGE, billionaire "wealthcare," and an administration activists say is dismantling agencies and stripping away rights.
Town halls have become a flashpoint for growing fears about the administration and Republican majorities reluctant to break ranks.
"I'm tired of our elected officials tearing things down and I am ready to build the Kentucky that I am dreaming of," one speaker said at a 900-strong Lexington town hall, which was held without Sixth District Rep. Andy Barr in attendance.
In response, Barr has scheduled a tele-town hall for Monday night, saying he would not provide a forum for individuals "more interested in shouting and grandstanding than engaging in a respectful and constructive conversation."
Nice to see Soros + the left lighting money on fire. No amount of manufactured outrage by paid activists will stop the mandate for total overhaul of DC. I stand with @realDonaldTrump and @ElonMusk in our fight to Make America Great Again and make government more efficient and… https://t.co/o0dKdLBEj9
— Andy Barr (@barrforcongress) March 22, 2025
But the reaction out of Washington hasn't been free of name calling or accusations.
On social media, Barr suggested the Lexington town hall was "manufactured outrage by paid activists." The event was organized by the cross-partisan grassroots group “Gathering for Democracy," whose leaders say they were unable to schedule a date for a live, in-person town hall with the lawmaker.
A spokesperson for Barr's fellow congressman, James Comer, said the protesters outside his office have met with his staff four times and that Comer isn't planning to hold "therapy sessions for left-wing activists suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome" — language unlikely to win over many critics who say lawmakers aren't living up to their responsibility to respond to constituents.
Republican lawmakers have argued the raucous town halls are unproductive and the GOP's across-the-board wins in November represent a mandate to rein in government and cut spending.