Chuck Edwards' longest day: Asheville congressman faces fierce opposition at town hall
Western North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards addresses a hostile crowd at his town hall in the Ferguson Auditorium at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College on March 13. Jack Snyder photo
It had been a warm spring day that finally gave way to twilight of cobalt-grey, sharpening the flashing red and blue police lights slashing through dusk restless and unyielding. Demonstrators waving signs and banging rhythmically on locked glass doors, their chants pulsed through the cool evening air.
“Save our democracy.”
On the other side of the glass, just a few feet away, Western North Carolina Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards was holding a press conference after an uproarious town hall in the heart of the beast — liberal Asheville, a bastion of progressivism awash in a sea of deeply conservative voters.
“I really appreciated the opportunity to be here,” Edwards said over the din as security guards looked out warily from inside, audibly concerned with a possible breach. “I appreciated the energy that I heard from the folks here, even though they might disagree with me, even though they might disagree with President Trump.”
That energy had been on full display all day — perhaps one of Edwards’ longest.
Earlier, he’d been escorted from a podium in Canton by police, for his own safety. Later, during his town hall, he’d been ridiculed, taunted and shouted down for 90 minutes as he struggled to defend himself and his unwavering support for Trump against a loud crowd concerned about the durability of Social Security, the stability of Medicaid, the integrity of the Department of Education, the sustainability of sweeping cuts by Elon Musk’s DOGE, the ability of the VA to continue providing services and the ultimate fate of Ukraine.
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One angry man was removed from the event for causing a disturbance.
Edwards took it all with remarkable fortitude; he bucked calls from his own party to stop holding town halls after other Republicans in ruby-red districts endured similar treatment, resulting in a series of embarrassing videos. He was not without his own moments of weakness — lying, dodging questions and claiming he was just following orders — in a county that went 61% for Kamala Harris, in a precinct that went 88% for Harris.
But for the two-term congressman, there’s probably only one number that really matters in the gerrymandered congressional district he helped draw while in the state Senate — his 57% support in the last General Election.
Around 1 p.m. on March 13, Edwards joined Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers, along with Canton’s governing board and several county officials, at an outdoor event in Sorrells Street Park. Police vehicles, lights flashing, had blocked off a lane of Park Street in anticipation of protestors akin to those who had been taking their anger out on federal officials at public events for weeks. No protestors showed up — except for one.
Edwards had just concluded remarks on a forthcoming $41 million appropriation meant to bolster Canton’s ailing water system and allow the town to construct its own wastewater treatment plant.
“How many times do we get $41 million coming to Haywood County for anything, for the long-term health and safety of our local residents?” Edwards said. The money, he noted, came from the Water Resources Act of 2024, signed into law by President Joe Biden on Jan. 4.
As the event concluded, a man later identified as Nate Roberto shouted a question at Edwards from about 20 feet away.
“Congressman, thank you so much for bringing home these dollars but if you cut Medicaid and you knock 40% of our kids off Medicaid and you don’t bring dollars home to these schools, the county schools [will] have a shortfall,” Roberto said.
Apparently startled by the question and attempting to regain control, Edwards talked over Roberto.
“I appreciate all of you being here. Let’s go find the ice cream truck now,” he said. He turned from the podium and began to walk away.
Roberto continued questioning Edwards while moving toward the podium slowly, saying “If you can’t hold yourself responsible, then we’re going to come at you.” Canton Police Chief Scott Sluder, along with another officer, grabbed Roberto and led him away from the event.
Canton police escort Haywood County man Nate Roberto (left) away from an event on March 13 as Canton's governing board (bottom right) watches Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards (far right, facing away) leave under police guard. Cory Vaillancourt photo
Recent discussions by Republicans on cuts to federal services, including Medicaid, have alarmed some — not only in Edwards’ 11th Congressional District but across the country.
As Edwards was escorted from the podium by other Canton police officers, The Smoky Mountain News attempted to ask Edwards if he had taken any steps to prevent billionaire Elon Musk from closing another federal facility in Macon County. On March 3, The Smoky Mountain News was first to report that the Social Security Administration office in Franklin appears on a list of federal facilities slated for closing by Musk’s DOGE. Other media outlets have since reported that the facility won’t close; however, as of March 18 it remains on Musk’s list.
The closing is expected to save just over $1 million against a $6.8 trillion federal budget, but it’s also expected to result in a 95-mile one way trip to the Asheville office for residents of the far west who have problems with Social Security that can’t be resolved online or on the phone.
Last month, Musk falsely claimed that millions of dead people, some centuries old, have been receiving improper payments. President Donald Trump echoed Musk’s false claims during a speech on March 4, even after the claims had already been debunked. A 2024 report issued by the SSA’s Inspector General noted that from 2015 to 2022, less than 1% of the administration’s payments (0.84%) were improper; most were overpayments, not payments going to the deceased or others who weren’t entitled to receive them.
In recent days, Musk has called Social Security “a Ponzi scheme,” dehumanized recipients of federal benefits by calling them “the parasite class” and floated the idea of cutting in-person staff at the Social Security Administration, making the resolution of issues even more difficult.
During his successful 2022 congressional bid, Edwards told The Smoky Mountain News that “there is absolutely no interest from Republicans to cut Medicare or Social Security.” Edwards’ comments came just weeks after Rep. Kevin McCarthy and Sen. Ron Johnson, both Republicans, refused to quash rumors about potential cuts. A year later, Edwards remained silent about protecting seniors and veterans, refusing to meet with a group asking him to sign a pledge protecting Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and veterans benefits.
Edwards did not acknowledge SMN’s question about the Franklin Social Security office and left the event with members of his staff.
Later, Roberto — a registered independent in Haywood County who ran for school board last year — told SMN that even though Edwards didn’t answer his question, Edwards’ silence spoke volumes.
“He’s already made it clear he’s banking on the fact that nobody’s going to come out and fight him on this,” said Roberto, who wasn’t taken into custody and left the scene without further incident. “And this was the perfect opportunity to do that.”
Four hours later and 20 miles away, a long line had already formed outside Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College’s Ferguson Auditorium. More than 450 people, many of whom were eager to share their stories, were waiting to claim one of 360 seats.
“We are really, really concerned about just the array of things that are happening and just the chaos that is going on, but it’s hard to pinpoint one thing that is the standalone,” said Janice Habash, who with her husband Eric Augustine had traveled from Haywood County to the town hall. “Certainly, just the fact that there is so much chaos is very concerning, but everything from foreign policy to domestic policy and firing of federal workers — they’re all concerning, especially the impact on Western North Carolina and threats to Medicaid, when so many kids in this region depend on it.”
Signs weren't permitted inside Rep. Chuck Edwards' town hall, but outside, they were on full display. Jack Snyder photo
Habash and Augustine were unique in that the majority of people in line had come from Buncombe County. Henderson County, where Edwards lives, was well represented. Others had come from Madison County and as far east as McDowell County, on the edge of Edwards’ district.
“I don’t know if he’s been to McDowell ever, so I thought, this is within an hour’s drive, so we should come in and hear what he has to say,” said Paula McLean, who was with her husband Kevin.
“I guess my issue is we have a convicted felon, of rape and molestation, as president of the United States,” Kevin said. “I find that to be morally just terrible, and to think that so many people in this country voted for somebody who’s morally corrupt is disturbing.”
Paula mentioned cuts to the U.S. Forest Service. Rugged, rural Western North Carolina holds a certain respect for the outsized effect federal workers have on the tourism-based economy.
“We’ve had five fires in McDowell County in the last six weeks. They’ve burned for days,” she said. “If they don’t keep training people to fight those fires, if they don’t have the firefighters available, what happens?”
As the time grew near and the end of the line grew far, more and more signs emerged, both clever and crude.
Pro-America, anti-Trump. Drug test Trump. Elect a clown, get a circus.
Notably, there didn’t appear to be a single Trump or Edwards supporter in line — or if there was, they were reluctant to advertise.
Those allowed into the venue were searched with metal detectors. Bags were checked. Signs were prohibited, as were people who didn’t reside in the district — attendees had to sign in by name, with a phone number and zip code, according to reporting by NC News Digest.
Shortly before 6 p.m., as the venue filled, there were about 2,000 people still outside, and they weren’t leaving.
Accessibility and Helene response
Edwards framed himself as accessible and transparent, saying, “One of the things that I’m most proud of in my privilege to serve you is my accessibility to the public.”
Edwards refused to debate his 2024 opponent, Democrat Caleb Rudow, and has refused to speak to The Smoky Mountain News since he was first elected in 2022. He mentioned the fact that party leaders had told people like Edwards not to hold town halls anymore, and seemed quite pleased with himself for ignoring the warning.
“You’ve seen a lot of advice in Washington, D.C., from different folks saying Republicans shouldn’t be out there doing town halls, and I’m thinking, ‘Why not? I love the people in Western North Carolina. I trust the people in Western North Carolina.’ Do I agree with everything? Do they agree with me about everything? Absolutely not,” he said. “But why do we shy away from those conversations as long as we can do that civilly? I appreciate the opportunity to hear opinions, even if they differ from mine.”
Giving a rundown of his office’s response to Hurricane Helene, Edwards was drowned out by shouts. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, he has claimed he was the sole author of the $110 billion relief bill that passed Congress in late December, but his failure to procure anywhere near the $60 billion North Carolina needs, or the $25 billion then-Gov. Roy Cooper asked for, leaves the state in a tough spot. It’s estimated the state will only receive between $9 and $15 billion.
Sneers and jeers
Asked by a constituent what he plans to do to make sure North Carolina is not overtaken by dictatorship and fascism, Edwards scoffed at the premise.
“Sounds like there’s a little bit of bias in that question,” he said.
His answer — an ambiguous defense of Trump’s presidency — elicited a mix of boos and laughter.
“To be quite honest with you, we have a Constitution. I work to uphold that Constitution. I’m assuming that many of you might have some disagreement with what you see taking place in the White House right now but I think we also have to realize that what we see President Trump doing is exactly what President Trump said he was going to do if he was elected,” Edwards said. “And President Trump was elected by the lion’s share of the American people.”
That claim was met with pushback, as Trump never topped 50% of the vote. The lion’s share of the American people, all 340 million of them, didn’t vote for Trump or for Harris — they didn’t vote at all.
Veterans, social security and the role of government
One of the most combative moments of the town hall came nearly 30 minutes into the event, when a man seated near the front hurled expletives at Edwards, drawing the attention of several sheriff’s deputies and an AB Tech campus police officer.
“I’m a veteran, you don’t give a fuck about me; you don’t get to take away our rights; you don’t get to do this to us,” he exclaimed.
Edwards made a dismissive gesture as the man, Jay Carey, was ushered out, continuing to shout and at one point appearing to forearm-check a deputy.
Carey is a retired, disabled Army veteran with a Bronze Star who unsuccessfully ran for office as a Democrat twice in 2022. He finished third in the 11th Congressional District Democratic Primary Election that May but three months later was appointed to run for Edwards’ empty state Senate district seat after the previous Democratic candidate withdrew.
The next day, Carey issued a press release accusing Edwards of silencing him. Carey revealed that his family had lost everything to Helene and that he was concerned about his benefits, mental health resources for veterans and job cuts at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
“President Trump is a five-time repeated draft dodger who claims to be a patriot, and Congressman Chuck Edwards is a coward for backing Trump instead of the hardworking constituents he was elected to serve,” Carey said in the release. Reached by John Boyle of the Asheville Watchdog later that day, Carey told Boyle the outburst was “necessary.”
About 10 minutes after Carey’s departure — the second time in less than six hours that law enforcement had to step in to protect Edwards from his own constituents — another constituent asked him to justify cuts to staff at the VA.
“First of all, there have been no cuts to the staff at VA at this point,” Edwards said in offering up one of his biggest falsehoods of the night.
On Feb. 24, the VA announced more than 1,400 employees had been dismissed. Federal judges recently demanded the workers be reinstated temporarily. They remain in limbo. A March 4 memo from the VA details plans to fire 80,000 come August.
Similar cuts proposed by Musk for Social Security prompted another constituent to ask Edwards what he was doing to ensure the protection of the agency.
“I’m not going to vote to dissolve your Social Security,” he said. “I’m not looking to disrupt Social Security at all.”
Yet when pressed on whether he’d support lifting the $176,100 income cap on Social Security taxes, Edwards engaged in one of his most painful dodges of the night.
“We’re committed to not touching the benefits of anyone that is already in the program and reaping the promises that they have been made,” Edwards said as the crowd grew more agitated. “The reality is we have to look at every possibility so that we can continue to keep those promises.”
He continued to struggle when asked about Elon Musk’s reported access to Tre asury Department data.
“If the name of the person that was running the agency was anything more than Elon Musk, you probably wouldn’t be as angered about it,” he said, pointing out that legitimate employees of the Treasury Department previously had access to the same data. The difference, however, is that Treasury Department employees undergo rigorous background checks, but there’s still no documentation about which security screenings DOGE employees have completed, if any.
An energetic, capacity crowd consistently engaged with Rep. Chuck Edwards during his 90-minute town hall March 13. Jack Snyder photo
In response to a question about the “five things” he’d done this week to protect democracy — a not-so-subtle dig at Musk’s demand for federal employees to do the same or face termination — Edwards named four.
“I participated in a two-hour classified briefing with a military outfit that is charged with creating the equivalent of an Iron Dome in a region that we are very interested in. I helped pass a continuing resolution that funded our military, gave raises to our military [and] kept our government running, including all the federal [agencies] that you’re concerned with. I met with probably a dozen different media outlets and told them why I was going to be here with you here today. I am here with you today,” he said, as the audience lambasted him for falling short.
Edwards faced even louder opposition when defending his position on abolishing the Department of Education.
“Let’s drop back and realize that the Department of Education is not mentioned in our U.S. Constitution,” he argued. Boos and shouts filled the room. No administrative departments or agencies, not even DOGE, are established in the Constitution.
Foreign affairs
One constituent asked, “Do you support the annexation of Canada and Greenland?” — an absurd question months ago, now suddenly serious and topical. The room burst into laughter, and Edwards seemed caught off guard.
“The short answer to that is, no, I do not,” he said, adding he would support a deal where the U.S. extracted minerals from Ukraine in exchange for aid. The audience’s reaction was swift — more shouting and laughter drowned out his attempt to justify the position.
Asked about Ukrainian refugees in North Carolina who are now at risk of deportation, Edwards was noncommittal, saying only that he’d study the issue. When later asked, “Why do you support a president that cares nothing about NATO, Ukraine and democracy, but cares about Putin and other dictators?” Edwards again pivoted to a vague defense of Trump that triggered loud groans and more laughter from the audience.
“I believe the President is very supportive of Ukraine,” Edwards said. “I believe the President recognizes that Putin is a murderous dictator. I believe that we see the author of ‘The Art of the Deal’ working his magic.”
At the event’s conclusion, unanswered life-or-death questions handled with vague and deflective statements from the multi-millionaire McDonald’s magnate still ringing through the auditorium, Edwards said he thought it had been “fun.”
His staff quickly set up a podium in the lobby for a press conference. Camera crews surrounded him, and softballs began to fly as law enforcement covered the doors, hoping to avoid a third intervention on this, Chuck Edwards’ longest day.
“I take away from much of what I heard today that we’re doing exactly what the American people sent us to Washington, D.C., to do,” he said — an incongruous lyric set to the percussive pounding and synchronous shouting emanating from outside the glass, just a few feet away.
If he believes that, truly believes that, his 57% figure isn’t the only number he should be thinking about.
Maybe, just maybe, the most important number isn’t his previous level of support; maybe it’s 594 — the number of days until the Nov. 3, 2026, General Election.
