Wyoming politics is never dull, and Representative Harriet Hageman just found herself in the hot seat—again. The Trump-backed congresswoman, known for taking down Liz Cheney, walked into a political inferno at a recent town hall in Laramie, where she was met with loud boos and fiery criticism.
The Boos Heard Around Wyoming
On March 19, Hageman took center stage at a town hall meant to update constituents, but instead, she got a brutal reality check. As she defended her vote for the Continuing Resolution (C.R.)—a bill she claimed was crucial to “keeping the lights on for President Trump’s administration”—the crowd erupted in disapproval. It was less of a Q&A and more of a public trial, with Hageman standing firm against a relentless wave of outrage.
But instead of backing down, Hageman doubled down. In a move that was either bold or tone-deaf, she sarcastically applauded the crowd for their passion. If she thought that would calm things down, she was dead wrong. The audience’s anger wasn’t just about the C.R.; they were fuming over concerns about Social Security restructuring and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which aims to trim federal spending—at the expense of federal jobs.
From Firebrand to Firefight
As the crowd pushed back, Hageman fired off her own shots, dismissing them as “hysterical” and calling their concerns “bizarrely obsessed with government.” The result? Even more outrage. Older voters, in particular, were incensed by her stance on Social Security, a lifeline for many in Wyoming.
This isn’t new territory for Hageman. Since taking office, she’s been a no-nonsense, ultra-conservative force, making waves with her unfiltered takes. While her base eats it up, others in Wyoming see her as out of touch with the everyday struggles of working-class constituents.
What’s Next for Hageman?
Despite the uproar, Hageman isn’t sweating it. Fresh off a 2024 re-election landslide, she’s made it clear she won’t be toning down her rhetoric anytime soon. Whether that keeps her in power or makes her a political pariah remains to be seen.