Heated Town Hall Sees GOP Lawmaker Confronted Over Controversial Fund and Epstein Files

Republican Rep. Mike Flood from Nebraska faced sharp criticism on May 26 during a town hall in Norfolk after voters pressed him on President Donald Trump’s agenda, a proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, and the unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files.

Many attendees also questioned Trump’s spending priorities, including billions spent on what some described as an “illegal” war with Iran.

Flood broke with some Republicans when he said the fund should not benefit people involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“I have never approved that,” Flood said, drawing applause. “I do not think one penny of any fund should ever go to any January 6 insurrectionist that was in the Capitol.”

“I want to be very clear,” he added. “I do not think we should be creating a fund for people that commit physical violence against law enforcement.”

The fund was announced as part of a settlement tied to a $10 billion lawsuit Trump filed against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The issue has divided Republicans in Washington and helped stall parts of Trump’s immigration agenda after pushback from Senate Republicans.

Flood’s town hall quickly turned tense as audience members asked challenging questions about Trump-backed projects and policies. Questions ranged from immigration enforcement and military action against Iran to plans for a White House ballroom and renovations near the White House.

One attendee mockingly questioned the administration’s spending priorities.

“Iran war, White House ballroom, security for the White House ballroom, immigration enforcement, Trump arch … the reflecting pool renovation, slush fund for crooks and the farm bill,” the attendee said. “How do we pay for all this?”

Flood said he is willing to work across party lines while still supporting some of Trump’s agenda. He acknowledged voter frustration over rising costs and concerns about foreign policy.

“I’ll be the first to tell you, prices are too high right now,” Flood said. “It costs too much when you go to the grocery store. It costs too much when you try to buy a new car. Everything costs too much.”

Still, he defended a hard line on Iran.

“I also don’t want Iran with a nuclear weapon,” he said.

Many attendees also loudly questioned Flood about why the Department of Justice has not released all investigative files tied to convicted s-- offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Some in the audience suggested the records were being withheld to protect Trump, but Flood rejected that claim.

“If President Trump was in the Epstein files, it would have been released,” he said as some audience members shouted over his response.

As the event came to an end, Flood urged the crowd to keep engaging despite the heated exchanges.

“These things are an experiment in democracy,” he said. “I appreciate the fact that you came out here tonight to participate in this discussion.”