Video Shows Republicans Brutally Silencing Dissent from Their Own Voters at Town Hall

In a disturbing display of authoritarian tactics, Republicans are cracking down on their own constituents for voicing their frustrations with the party and the Trump administration.

At a recent town hall in Idaho, Teresa Borrenpohl was forcibly removed after asking a simple question: whether the event was meant to be a “lecture or a town hall.” In a video that quickly spread on social media, Borrenpohl is seen sitting peacefully in the crowd before two men—without any identification—approach her. When she asks them to identify themselves, they refuse and begin pulling her out of her seat, despite her protests. The men escalate the situation by using force, dragging her across the room, causing her to lose a shoe and nearly rip her shirt. As Borrenpohl yells for help, she accuses one of the men of assault, only to be ignored and manhandled by a third individual who joins in the attack. The scene ends with her being thrown out of the event, her basic rights trampled on.

The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee later attempted to spin the incident by posting an edited video, falsely claiming that Borrenpohl had been arrested for trespassing and assaulting a security guard. However, Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White confirmed that the men involved in the removal were from a private security firm, LEAR Asset Management, not law enforcement.

This egregious act of silencing dissent comes at a time when Republicans seem intent on punishing any form of protest from their own voters. Borrenpohl spoke out against the handling of the town hall, pointing out the glaring double standard—those cheering in favor of the speakers were left undisturbed, while those expressing discontent, like herself, were immediately reprimanded and forcibly removed.

Fellow town hall attendee Mary Rosdahl described the brutality of the removal, saying that Borrenpohl was “pulled into the aisle, face-down on the floor, and held down by two men before they dragged her out of the building.” Rosdahl voiced concern over the excessive force used on a peaceful citizen.

Despite claims from local authorities, including Sheriff Bob Norris, that the removal was routine protocol, even Coeur d’Alene’s police chief expressed disagreement with this narrative. The message is clear: dissent, even from within their own ranks, will not be tolerated. Republicans have shown they are willing to go to great lengths to silence their own voters, just to maintain a façade of unity around their party line.