Democratic Congressman Jared Huffman, who represents California’s North Coast in the U.S. House of Representatives, held a telephone town hall on February 24, 2025, addressing concerns about the current state of U.S. government under former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. Huffman, a senior member of the House Natural Resources Committee and a vocal advocate for environmental protection, is known for his strong stance on climate change, public lands, and civil liberties. In his opening remarks, Huffman criticized the actions of both Trump and Musk, calling them “dire threats to democracy and the rule of law.” He expressed particular concern about the firing of 18 Inspector Generals, independent watchdogs tasked with overseeing federal agencies.
Huffman also discussed the potential for a government shutdown, as funding for the federal government is set to run out on March 14. He expressed alarm over new Republican budget proposals that could include cuts to Medicaid, which tens of thousands in his district rely on. Huffman emphasized that while Republicans focus on “space mining,” an issue he described as “not even real,” critical programs such as Medicaid are at risk of being slashed.
“I have worried for years that our country is sleepwalking toward authoritarianism,” Huffman said.
Huffman also answered several questions from constituents during the town hall, which covered a wide range of topics. One constituent asked how to protect private information, given Musk’s access to government agencies. Huffman explained that there are pending lawsuits and legislative efforts to restrict Musk’s access to personal data, but urged people to also speak up publicly and join advocacy groups.
Addressing concerns about the future of the federal court system under a potentially Trump-friendly Supreme Court, Huffman reassured that birthright citizenship would likely remain intact despite the court’s conservative leanings. He also discussed the potential for a constitutional crisis if Trump disregards court orders he disagrees with.
Huffman was asked about the impact of potential staff cuts in national parks. He noted that the Congressional National Resources Committee would be exploring options, and encouraged people to pay attention to the issue, as it will be broadcast on C-SPAN.
In response to a question about the disruption in IRS tax form processing due to layoffs, Huffman advised constituents to continue paying their taxes, even if refunds may be delayed. He also discussed the broader impact of federal cuts, including potential harm to rural nonprofits, health clinics, and public radio programs, which he said could be “slashed aimlessly.” Huffman encouraged people to report any damage caused by these cuts to his office, so that he could publicize the stories and help build public awareness.
Huffman was also asked about potential cuts to Social Security. He reassured listeners that he would never support shutting down Social Security and Medicare but acknowledged that Republicans may still attempt to target these programs. He stated that while Republicans are unlikely to cut defense spending, “it’s inevitable that they will find their way back to Social Security and Medicare.”
On the issue of the 2028 election, Huffman highlighted the need to protect free and fair elections. He said that in the lead-up to the 2026 election, Democrats must work to ensure election integrity and address Trump’s efforts to manipulate California’s voter laws.
Huffman closed the town hall by urging people to stay engaged politically, even as some programs face severe cuts. “Don’t just roll over,” he said, encouraging constituents to speak out, raise awareness, and stay active. He emphasized that much of what Trump and Musk are doing is illegal but will take time to work through the courts.
Don’t be silent.
Don’t hide your distaste behind a phone call Jared, say it with your chest in front of all your coworkers.
Get out in front of everyone, join in arms with Jasmine Crockett and the select few others being loud and upfront about their distaste.
This is heading full-speed-ahead towards Germany circa WWII. Your constituents will not exist anymore if you choose to not fight for them wholeheartedly. Treat your voice like artillery, FRONT TOWARDS ENEMY.
A lot of lives are in jeopardy in NorCal where a lot of the elderly population rely on medicare and medicaid. Corporate coddling will also result in millions of layoffs. When the market tanks and the unemployment line is around the corner it will be too late.
Next time a member of the House is censured for speaking the truth, stage a sit down in the well of the House. And with the utmost respect, sing patriotic songs that extend beyond the civil rights movement. We Shall Overcome may say the right thing but sends the wrong message. And no, that does not mean backing off on minority rights.
What you call “minority rights” is why we have Trump again. Your side told normal folks they don’t matter.
I don’t have a side. I believe in the civil rights of each American, including you. You’re a “normal” American and I’m not? Horseshit.
So, anyone who doesn’t support Trump is abnormal? Talk about disrespect.
I don’t know anybody in this nation that voted for Musk or his young tech guys poking around in our sensitive data. We need to get the “tech support” chucklehead out of the Oval Office, and all other offices. He can go back to his other businesses and mismanage them.
Sounds like normal folks swatted the drug addled welfare nest. Lol no one voted california a leader if anything but perversion and man bun boys in womens spirts lol.
Authoritarian government like vaccine mandates, or the DNC not having presidential primaries, or trying to keep opposition candidates off of the ballot, censoring speech, forcing girls and women to compete against men, or calling climate change a “crisis and emergency” to limit rights and liberties, or fighting school choice, or opening our borders to an invasion, attacking parental rights, the 2nd amendment rights, etc, etc…
It’s as if, Mr. Huffman, you think the federal government can run up its debt forever and ever. Is it too much to ask of you Mr. Huffman to accept the results of the last election instead of obstructing the will of the people? Democracy and all that, right? It’s in your party’s name for heaven’s sake.
Literally no one expressed a will for Musk to run wild through the government. No one, and it is revisionist history to suggest.
Not sure Musk is running wild as you put it. But one person did give him the authority to audit and propose changes. The only person that matters, the President. Sorry you don’t like it but this is how democracy works.
No, you are wrong. Under American constitutional theory, all Power derives from the People, not a King. Trump wasn’t elected King.
Democracy works by (1) following the Constitution which gives Congress the power to make spending decisions and (2) following the Constitution which requires Senate confirmation of principal officers appointed by the President. As the Heritage Foundation (!) explained (before the Trump coup of course) :
“ Americans tend to think of their president as the most powerful person in the world, but the Constitution limits the power of all three branches of government—the president as well as the Congress and the federal courts.
“In the case of filling top positions in the executive and judicial branches, the Constitution divides responsibility between the president and the Senate. Article II, Section 2 empowers the president to nominate and—“by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate”—to appoint principal officers such as department heads as well as subordinate ones such as deputies.”
https://www.heritage.org/political-process/heritage-explains/the-confirmation-process-presidential-appointees
Musk is acting as a principal officer and must have been confirmed to do so — and his DOGE operation must have been created by Congress to exercise Federal power. Neither one has happened. Don’t try to Pooh-pooh a coup just because you personally like the result. That’s what good Germans did.
Well, you seem to understand my motivations and thoughts better than I do. That is your superpower, I reckon. If you are a Leftist, I will expect that you will want to have the last word.
Trump was elected President of the United States. He does not have unlimited powers. For instance his executive order dismantling USAID and not paying their contractors has been challenged in court and both the 9th and 5th Courts of Appeals have indefinitely stayed Trump’s order because USAID was created lawfully by Congress and signed into law by duly elected Presidents. We have a Constitutional Democracy with three branches of government . The President is not elected as king with dictatorial powers. I think the Supreme Court will rule on this case and stand with the Constitution.
Trump did not dissolve USAID but brought it in under the State Dept. A lot of funding was frozen pending review to ensure that the contracts were fulfilled properly. What’s wrong with that? Especially since USAID was channeling money to NGOs without accountability. And funds were being used by the CIA to topple foreign governments. Do you approve? A majority of people democratically voted for this agenda but the Left is intent on using any means necessary to undermine the will of the people.
Tell me, why is the unconfirmed Acting Deputy Director of USAID shredding all USAID records? That too violates federal law requiring preservation of all government records. Why would another unconfirmed Trump minion do that? Do you seriously believe it is to prevent US-sponsored foreign coups? Pull the other one.
No — when records are destroyed the ability to reinstate those programs is knee-capped.
And by the way, I’m not “the Left”, a favorite right wing bogeyman. I’m just a patriot who believes in the Constitution — unlike the man who started a riot to prevent Congress from doing its duty to certify Biden’s election. Unlike the man who pardoned those rioters. Unlike the man who thinks racist rioters in Charlottesville are “good people” too. Unlike the man who cynically lied claiming he won when he lost. Unlike the man who did more than anyone in 200 years to destroy the People’s faith that their votes would be counted.
2 Live Crew was banned in the USA
If you’re gonna cut the bloated government, at least do it cautiously and right. I heard they cut the federal firefighting academy for the U.S. today. That is not good for U.S. citizens. We need more firefighters and thank god for the ones we have. More fires need more people to fight them.
My mistake, it was the National Fire Training Academy
Typical bureaucrat using a town hall meeting to complain about shit on our taxpayer time instead of actually taking care of stuff
I am behind on the news. The Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 on March 5, 2025 on USAID being dismantled by Trump. They ordered President Trump to release 2 billion in USAID funds. There is no reporting on whether President Trump will comply with Supreme Court order. If he doesn’t we will have a true Constitutional crisis and a dictator in the White House
I am confident that at some point Trump will refuse to obey court orders. “After all,” he’ll say “I have immunity.” (Don’t tell RFK Jr.)
I’m curious how his apologists will explain that away.
By the way, this is National Send A Postcard To the White House Day.
Hopefully Elon suggests combining all the agencies tasked with managing federal assets into one department in order to cut waste and then direct them to look for the highest value uses for the assets in order to provide the highest possible return on the taxpayers assets. Trump can make it part of his sovereign wealth fund.
I received this reply from the White House to a recent email: “The willingness of the American people to stay informed is essential to our enduring democracy.” ¯_(?)_/¯. Words to live by.