House Speaker Mike Johnson is encouraging Republican lawmakers to skip town halls that have been filled with protesters decrying the Trump administration's slashing of federal government, echoing the president's claims that the demonstration's are fueled by professional protesters.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson urged fellow Republican lawmakers on Tuesday to avoid public town-hall meetings with voters after some events turned into angry confrontations over President Donald Trump's moves to fire federal workers and defund government programs.

House Republican leaders on Tuesday told rank-and-file lawmakers not to hold public meetings to avoid getting yelled at by their constituents. Republicans have been stung by voters at town halls complaining about billionaire Elon Musk’s attacks on federal agencies and Republican proposals to cut Medicaid benefits.