On Saturday, March 22nd, 800 people filled the Mace Lane Middle School in Cambridge to capacity for a Town Hall to discuss President Trump’s policies and District 1 Representative Andy Harris’ role in supporting them. Harris was invited but refused to attend, leading to the placement of a large milk carton on the stage with ‘MIA” and “Missing” in large letters. Throughout the meeting Representative Harris was referred to as “AWOL Andy.”
Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin, Congressman from Maryland’s District 8, replaced the absent Harris. Raskin, a former law professor who was elected in 2017, focused his comments on the unconstitutionality of Trump’s actions attempting to dismantle federal agencies and programs. Citing the language of the Constitution verbatim from memory, he took the audience through Articles I through III of the Constitution that specify the powers of Congress, the Executive, and the Courts. He summarized his discussion by noting that the Congress enacts laws and funds programs, whereas it is the Executive’s responsibility to implement them.
Raskin also reiterated the recent warning from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts that, if disagreeing with a court’s decision, the proper course of action is to appeal that decision and not call for a judge’s impeachment. While Roberts did not name the President, it was clearly in response to Trump’s earlier call for the impeachment of US District Judge James Boasberg, who had issued a temporary injunction to halt the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members.
When citizens in the Town hall rose to ask questions, there was a considerable amount of ridiculing of Representative Harris’ claims that he did not want to attend these kinds of meetings because the Democratic Party was busing in paid, out-of-area protesters to disrupt them. When people attending the event asked questions, most of them identified where they lived in District 1 and what their professions were. Many of these individuals asked what ordinary people could do to halt what they characterized as the President’s unconstitutional actions. Representative Raskin responded that it was important to attend public events such as this meeting as well as look to electing more responsive legislators in the 2026 elections.
Representative Raskin’s presentation and responses to questions were widely applauded during the meeting. He was awarded numerous standing ovations throughout the event, and was asked by some participants whether he would be willing to run to be the District 1 Representative or even President in the future. Raskin jokingly responded he would do anything to further the cause of democracy in America.
The event was sponsored by Cambridge Indivisible. At the conclusion of the meeting, they indicated a March on Washington DC was planned for April 5th on the Washington Monument grounds. The “Hands Off” march is being orgnized by the national Indivisible organization with other organizations (such as The Women’s March) also planning to rally that day.
Wilson Dean
Oxford
Bob Kopec says
Handgun Andy has been absent for years. Why are people surprised? A core group keeps voting ‘the do nothing or as little as possible’ Andy back into office. And, he loves doing little for the $174,000.00 he gets (I refuse to say earns).
Rebecca Ellison says
But he doesn’t ‘do nothing’ … he’s a founding member and the present head of the Freedom Caucus. Google it.
Reed Fawell 3 says
“The event was sponsored by Cambridge Indivisible. At the conclusion of the meeting, they indicated a March on Washington DC was planned for April 5th on the Washington Monument grounds. The “Hands Off” march is being orgnized by the national Indivisible organization with other organizations (such as The Women’s March) also planning to rally that day.” The event was sponsored by Cambridge Indivisible. At the conclusion of the meeting, they indicated a March on Washington DC was planned for April 5th on the Washington Monument grounds. The “Hands Off” march is being orgnized by the national Indivisible organization with other organizations (such as The Women’s March) also planning to rally that day.”
Might this illustrate the illegitimately of the forum in the mind of Harris.
Wilson Dean says
A healthy democracy assumes a Representative is willing to talk to all of his/her constituents regardless of whether they are in agreement with their elected official, hence the term “Representative.”
Linda Cades says
Exactly so, Mr. Dean. Congressman Harris is supposed to represent all citizens in his district whether they agree with him or not. By failing to show up at this town hall, he tells those who voted for him as well as those who did not, that he doesn’t care what we think. How can he represent us if he isn’t willing to listen to us?
Mr.Fawell seems put off by the organizations sponsoring the town hall as well as mention of additional organizations planning a protest on April 5. He objects to the Women’s March. What does he have against women? We are half the population. Perhaps there are even a few in his family.
Then there is the word “indivisible.” Indivisible Cambridge is a local chapter of a national organization with other chapters nationwide. Its members live in Congressman Harris’s district. The organization takes its name from our Pledge of Allegiance, which all of us recited at the beginning of every school day. For those long out of school, a refresher. Here’s the pledge:
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”
What, exactly is wrong with that, Mr. Fawell? The 800 people who attended the event on Saturday were there because all of us care deeply about our country. We are committed citizens doing what we should as part of a democracy. If Mr. Harris does not want to meet or hear from his constituents, he should resign his seat and make room for someone who cares about the people who live in his district. There are good potential candidates from all parties who want to hear what their constituents think whether they agree with them or not.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Linda, I suspect you hit “the nail on the head”. Women. This is a core issue with Trumpies.
I mean, no competent woman SEC DEF would reveal war plans over a non secure means. And these Dems always choose those right for the job. Sometimes even if they are Republicans. Also, not noticing a journalist is on the thread?? They should all resign or be forced to resign. But this is the GOP where substandard is the new normal.
And these are the same people still crowing “remember Hillary’s emails”, which was nothing compared to this breach of National Security. Think of the military lives that could have been lost.
All people involved are misogynistic morons and their Trumpie women are self loathing.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Please. The only forum Harris would ever agree to do is for his top donors, or those who defaced our Capital on Jan. 1, 2021, which he was well aware of
and a possible part of. This is besides the point
however. Harris is the elected representative for District 1. Is he not man enough to defend his actions
by appearing before his district?
We know many going to the Mall on April 5 to
protest the Anti Americans.
Paul Gilmore says
Why would the stated activity make it illegitimate? Perhaps Andy doesn’t agree with this but it hardly makes it illegitimate.
James Wilson says
you must not have read the entire article. I quote what you mussed:
“When citizens in the Town hall rose to ask questions, there was a considerable amount of ridiculing of Representative Harris’ claims that he did not want to attend these kinds of meetings because the Democratic Party was busing in paid, out-of-area protesters to disrupt them. When people attending the event asked questions, most of them identified where they lived in District 1 and what their professions were.”
Rebecca Ellison says
Please click below to watch the full video of Rep. Jamie Raskin’s ‘People’s Town Hall’, held yesterday at the Mace’s Lane Middle School gymnasium in Cambridge after an invitation from Indivisible… WOW.
https://youtu.be/QgdkwIGkA5c?si=S3oS3P-djrXTHPqw
Clearly, Jamie Raskin is an extraordinary man … and he brought us a REAL Town Hall … a Town Hall for the entire NATION, as well as for the Eastern Shore and District 1.
[A former constitutional law profess!or at American University Washington College of Law, Rep. Raskin was the lead impeachment manager for the second impeachment of President Donald Trump (in response to the attack on the U.S. Capitol). He is presently the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee.]
Francine DeSanctis says
Thank you for the summary of this very important meeting with “our Congressman”. It is a shame that out elected official couldn’t find the time or interest in meeting his voters. I’ve made many phone calls, but none are returned or even acknowledged. Harris is in way over his head. He has no more interest in serving District 1 than I do wanting to be him! Please un-elect him??
Bob Parker says
The fact that the demonstration/ march in DC is being organized by a national organization in no way negates the legitimacy of the town hall no matter what Rep Harris, or any other person, would like to imply or believe. The forum was open to all voters in District 1 and if most attendees expressed disagreement or at least concern with the actions of the trump administration it sends a strong message about their concerns, and an equally strong message about those voters who chose not to attend. Since his initial election to Congress, Harris has been among the least productive/effective Congressmen. His position as chair of the “freedom” caucus is unlikely to change this. In addition to not earning his $174k annual salary, he is “stealing” from taxpayers his health insurance policy available only to members of Congress, and will ultimately be “stealing” his Congressional pension when he retires (or IS retired) from Congress. The fact that he refused to show up for a live interaction with his constituents merely points out his fear of and contempt for them.
Susan Baker says
Thrilled to read of Raskin’s presence at the event and equally thrilled that Hands Off March will be happening across the country…even here in Westerville, Ohio!