| After refusing to meet Michiganders face-to-face for over a year, new reporting reveals Tom Barrett’s latest excuse for why he refuses to hold down halls is a complete lie.
Barrett’s office claimed that “Capitol Police instructed members of Congress not to host [town hall] events due to safety concerns” – but there is “no evidence of such guidance.”
What’s more, Senator Slotkin’s office “was unaware of any new guidelines” regarding town halls. Barrett’s office “did not respond to requests for comment.”
DCCC Spokesperson Katie Smith:
“Tom Barrett’s priorities are clear: D.C. party bosses first, Michiganders last. Barrett is hiding behind excuses rather than facing his constituents because he can’t defend his record of raising costs and gutting health care for working families while giving handouts to billionaires.”
Read more:
Michigan Advance: Barrett staffer claims Capitol Police instructed against town halls, no evidence of such guidance
- U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) has been repeatedly criticized for having never hosted an in-person town hall since being elected to Congress in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District last year.
- That has drawn additional scrutiny after Barrett’s district director, Keith Lane, said that the U.S. Capitol Police instructed members of Congress not to host those events due to safety concerns, although there is no evidence of such guidance.
- In a video posted by Distill Social, Lane says, “Capitol Police, who are in charge of protecting all the members, are advising not to have in-person town halls due to almost double threats against congressional members,” noting that the guidance was given to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
- Barrett’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the nature of this guidance from the Capitol Police, including when the guidance was given and what exactly it entails.
- A spokesperson for U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who previously held Barrett’s seat before being elected to the Senate, said that her office was unaware of any new guidelines from the Capitol Police regarding safety at town halls.
- Distill Social’s video was posted two days after a surprise appearance from Barrett at the Michigan March for Life rally outside the state Capitol building on Nov. 6, which gathered thousands of people — and had no formal security.
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