A town hall hosted by longtime Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) erupted into chaos Wednesday as constituents in rural Worth County clashed over mass deportations, including the controversial removal of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and the broader direction of the Trump administration.
What began as a standard Q&A quickly turned contentious as around 100 attendees—many critical of President Donald Trump’s actions—peppered Grassley with pointed questions. The senator fielded heated inquiries about immigration enforcement, Elon Musk’s growing influence, federal workforce cuts, and economic tariffs.
The flashpoint came when one woman, breaking from the crowd’s largely critical tone, publicly apologized to Grassley “for all the grief you’ve gotten this morning.” Her comment triggered a volatile reaction. “I’ve had enough of you Democrats,” she said, prompting shouting matches, expletives, and people pulling out phones to record the moment. Others yelled “shut up,” showcasing the intense political divisions even in small-town America.
Grassley remained calm, listening with hands on hips and shaking the woman’s hand when offered. But the crowd’s frustration boiled over again when the topic turned back to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran man deported from Maryland due to what the administration called an “administrative error.” His removal has sparked national outrage and legal battles that have reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
Trying to deflect blame, Grassley pointed to the surge in border crossings under President Joe Biden, stating, “This wouldn’t even be an issue if Biden had enforced the law.” The crowd responded with boos, and one person shouted, “He’s not doing that!” when Grassley said the president must comply with the Supreme Court.
Throughout the tense exchange, Grassley referenced legislation he’s proposed, including a bill requiring presidents to justify tariffs and another curbing nationwide injunctions from federal judges. Still, those answers fell flat with constituents seeking accountability and leadership.
For many, including first-time town hall attendee Kumar Wickramasingha, the concern is deeply personal. The Sri Lanka-born U.S. citizen said recent deportation headlines have made him fearful again for the first time in decades. “I want to know that people like me are safe,” he told reporters. “That I won’t end up in an El Salvador prison.”
Retired farmer Keith Olson opened Wednesday’s event by pressing Grassley on Garcia’s deportation. Speaking to the Associated Press afterward, Olson said, “People are angry—even here in rural Iowa. We want to see leadership. We want truth.”
But Grassley’s responses—like “It’s gonna play out in the courts”—did little to calm the room. One constituent demanded, “Where is your outrage?”
As political divisions sharpen in the heartland, Wednesday’s town hall underscored that even in traditionally conservative counties, Trump-era immigration policy and defiance of court orders are igniting passionate pushback.
