![\"\"](\"https:\/\/missouriindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/68afcc4cd710e-1024x690.webp\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Rep. Mark Alford, right, introduces himself to Douglas Walther, left, before the town hall on Wednesday at the Lions Club in Harrisburg. An NPR tally reported that around 37 of the 219 U.S. House Republicans held town halls during the August recess (Aiyana Massie\/Missourian).<\/p>\n
HARRISBURG \u2014 U.S. Rep. Mark Alford defended actions taken by President Donald Trump at a contentious town hall in Harrisburg on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
More than 100 constituents packed the Lions Club event hall. The small venue \u2014 full of shouting and passionate pleas \u2014 drew in people from all over the county who voiced their questions and complaints.<\/p>\n
Hot topics during the session included Medicaid cuts, Trump\u2019s deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and complaints about the priorities of the Republican Party.<\/p>\n
Alford began the event with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then opened the floor to questions. Questions continued for more than two hours.<\/p>\n
As soon as the microphone opened, over 20 members of the crowd queued up for their chance to speak to the congressman.<\/p>\n
The crowd spoke on a variety of issues, including the need for gun reform and their disapproval of Trump\u2019s \u201cBig Beautiful Bill.\u201d<\/p>\n
One man who voiced his concern about Medicaid cuts said he was \u201cliving proof\u201d of the importance of Medicaid after surviving being on a ventilator in a recent hospitalization.<\/p>\n
To concerns about Medicaid cuts, Alford cited legislation proposed by Sen. Josh Hawley, who voted for cuts in Trump\u2019s bill, to invest in rural hospitals and stop future Medicaid cuts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish I had thought of it,\u201d Alford said, drawing mocking laughter. \u201cWe need more money to shore up to our hospitals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alford is a Republican in his second term in Congress, following a long career as a TV news anchor in Kansas City.<\/p>\n
Many people pleaded with Alford to address his commitments to Trump, with one attendee saying that Alford wasn\u2019t in the Republican Party but the Trump party.<\/p>\n
In response, Alford said, \u201cTrump isn\u2019t a perfect person but has the best interest at heart.\u201d His response was met overwhelmingly with boos and shouts from the audience.<\/p>\n
Throughout the meeting, Alford heard complaints from people who said they were unable to make contact with him or his team to voice their concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not doing the job we need to be doing,\u201d Alford said. Throughout the meeting he directed people with questions to reach out to his team for answers.<\/p>\n
As some in the audience chanted \u201cliar\u201d at him, Alford replied sarcastically, \u201cIf you didn\u2019t want to hear my lies why did you come here tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n
One speaker noted that Alford was not visiting Columbia despite stopping in 15 counties this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in Boone County, yes, but we are just a few feet away from the county line,\u201d said Mark Haim, director of Mid-Missouri Peaceworks. \u201cBasically we have been denied even though Columbia represents a significant portion of your district in terms of population.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will come to Columbia next year,\u201d Alford said.<\/p>\n
Alford experienced a contentious town hall in February when federal workers were experiencing layoffs and got national attention for his comment that \u201cGod has a plan\u201d for those affected. He is one of the few Republicans in Congress who has met publicly with constituents.<\/p>\n
Two people voiced support for Alford, thanking him for his work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to say that I am proud of the work you\u2019ve done, especially as a student,\u201d said Brenden Poteet, club president of Mizzou Republicans.<\/p>\n
Trump last week endorsed Alford\u2019s reelection on his social media platform Truth Social.<\/p>\n