As Donald Trump and his Republican lackeys screw over working families with their disastrous billionaires-first budget and attempt to undermine Americans’ voting power, Democrats across the country are holding them accountable for putting billionaires over the people who elected them. As part of “Organizing Summer,” this week, town halls were held in Missouri and Michigan. In Missouri, Senator Tammy Duckworth joined Missouri Democrats to blast Republicans for backing Trump’s draconian budget cuts that rip away the health care and food assistance programs hardworking Missourians rely on and for trying to avoid accountability by rigging the congressional maps at Trump’s behest. In Michigan, the chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, Curtis Hertel, highlighted how Trump’s tax scam robs Michiganders of the money in their pocketbooks and their lifesaving health care — all to line the pockets of his billionaire donors. 

At both events, the message was clear: Democrats are in this fight to protect working families, not throw them under the bus to appease the top 1%. 

Take a look at some of the coverage below: 

In Missouri: 

Alton Telegraph: Sen. Tammy Duckworth slams Trump funding cuts at town hall in Missouri

[Chase Martin, 8/14/25]

“U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth visited the area on Wednesday, but she was on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River. 

“Duckworth went to The Factory in Chesterfield, Missouri, for a town hall event, where she discussed President Donald Trump’s policies and aimed to provide hope and instruction to audience members. …

“A major point Duckworth emphasized during the event was federal funding cuts under President Trump. She called Trump’s policies the ‘Big Beautiful Betrayal.’ 

“Duckworth pointed to funding cuts to veteran organizations, public schools, and agriculture. She said the people impacted most by the Trump Administration were veterans, teachers, students, union workers, and farmers. 

“‘If ideas about making sure no child in this country goes hungry … that the middle class should be able to buy a first home, send their kids to school, have health insurance, and be able to retire with dignity,’ Duckworth said. ‘If those are crazy liberal ideas, then call me a crazy liberal.’ …

“At several points, Duckworth made a call to action to the audience. She recommends that those attending Wednesday’s town hall have conversations with other people, regardless of their political affiliation, about cuts to federal funding and its impacts. 

She said that it’s the independent voters who helped Trump take office. With these conversations, people can start thinking about the problems at hand in order to think twice about who they vote for, she says. …

“Other calls to action involved instruction on working together and contacting the offices of politicians in order to voice concerns about federal spending. She also urged attendees to mention during these calls to politicians the recent redistricting efforts in Texas and, soon, Missouri, which aim to allow Republicans to gerrymander elections. 

“‘We need to fight back as hard as they are cheating,’ Duckworth said.”

First Alert 4: Senator Duckworth pays visit to Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District for town hall

[Shawn Loging, 8/13/25]

“An Illinois U.S. Senator is crossing the Mississippi River for a town hall in the Show-Me state. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth holding the event at the Factory in Chesterfield, which is in Republican Congresswoman Ann Wagner’s district. It’s as Democratic leaders at the town hall said that Rep. Wagner is not holding these types of events. …

“Senator Duckworth said, ‘This is what happens when people are afraid that they’re going to lose. When they know that their legislation is so incredibly unpopular, they’re going to lose elections, they start to do this. It is a danger that could happen, but at the end of the day, every individual person who can get out there and vote can make their voices heard no matter how they draw the district.’

“She also responded to her current approach in Congress, expressing displeasure with some of her own party but pointing directly at the GOP.

“‘They lie to us on a regular basis and so I’m done cooperating with my Republican colleagues. I’m done being nice,’ said Senator Duckworth.

“It was the person who represented the 2nd District who wasn’t on stage that Democrats at the event kept pointing out.

“‘You have a right to hear from your representative. When you are elected to represent the people of your constituency, you’re their servant. That’s what the term is: you’re a public servant. You should be serving. You should be showing up to people who want to talk to you, and that’s why I’m here. Yes, I represent Illinois, but I’m a United States senator and I represent all Americans,’ said Senator Duckworth.”

In Michigan: 

WZMQ: Democratic Party holds town hall meeting

[John Truitt, 8/12/25]

“The Chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, Curtis Hertel, spoke to nearly 100 Democrats and potential Democrats. He also fielded questions from those assembled. Of highest concern is how to gain seats lost in Congress, and what the party stands for.

“‘It’s our job to fight for the fair wages that happen in this country. It’s our job to fight for affordable housing, to lower the cost of health care for everybody, and lower the cost of childcare,’ said Hertel.

“Another talking point was the redistricting in Texas and the spread of gerrymandering.

“‘Once you start, there is no end. That’s the problem. Every state that can do it will do it down the line. It’s worse for voters. Worse for people,’ said Hertel.”

WNMU: Head of MI Dems holds town hall in Marquette

[Nicole Walton, 8/13/25]

“Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel spoke with Marquette-area residents Tuesday about actions taken by the Trump administration. 

“Hertel said two U.P. hospitals have moved to critical care only and the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is cutting programs. He said that will affect everyone, whether they have Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance. 

“‘Here’s the thing. You can have all the cards you want in your wallet. If you don’t have a doctor that will take that card, if you don’t have a hospital that’s still providing the program you need, if you can’t find the specialist you need without driving across a bridge and hours later, then you don’t have health care.’”