Nebraska Republican Congressman Mike Flood encountered an intense wave of criticism during a charged town hall meeting held Monday evening at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The event, which attracted hundreds of constituents and extended 30 minutes beyond its scheduled end, was the latest in a series of public forums hosted by Flood in recent months.
As reported by Nebraska Now, the crowd at Kimball Recital Hall grew restless almost immediately, booing and heckling the congressman throughout. Flood was met with vocal opposition every time he mentioned President Donald Trump or referenced the controversial “Big Beautiful Bill,” which he supported in a recent vote. Attendees repeatedly chanted, “Vote him out!” drowning out much of his remarks.
During the meeting, a member of the audience shouted, “Why are you covering up the Epstein files?” The crowd erupted in cheers. Flood responded, “I had sponsored a resolution to release the Epstein files to protect the victims and not re-victimize them again.” He went on to express his support for House Oversight Chairman James Comer, who subpoenaed Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex offender and known associate of Jeffrey Epstein, to testify in Washington. “I am for the release of those records,” Flood said.
Audience members continued pressing him on issues, including one person who questioned the cost of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations: “How much does it cost for fascism? How much do the taxpayers have to pay for a fascist country?”
Flood answered over the noise, “Americans voted for a border that is secure, and I support the president enforcing our immigration laws.” Tensions escalated when another constituent challenged Flood on his stance regarding Project 2025, an initiative linked to right-wing policy planning: “You said you were not a fascist. Your complicity says otherwise… What is wrong with you?”
Flood replied, “Fascists don’t hold town halls with open questions and answers. And I will tell you this: I support law enforcement, and what happened on January 6, 2021, was not right, and I’m on the record saying so. I’m sure you could Google it.” He also attempted to defend proposed changes to Medicaid, arguing, “If you are able to work and you are able-bodied, you have to work.
If you choose not to work, you do not get free healthcare.” After receiving more boos, Flood challenged the crowd: “Do you think that people who are 28 years old, who can work and refuse to work, should get free health care?” The audience loudly cheered in agreement. Flood countered, “I don’t think that a majority of Nebraskans agree with you.”
Flood also faced criticism for voting in favor of Trump’s bill. “We do not have unlimited money in the United States,” he said when asked about cuts to aid. Asked about President Trump’s reported firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, Flood stated, “If all she did was get the data out there, I would not have fired her. But I don’t know, because things are complicated. I don’t know all the details.”
Flood’s office has not issued a statement since the town hall. The Daily Beast has reached out for comment. This is not the first time Flood has faced intense questioning from constituents. Earlier town halls this year saw similar pushback, particularly around his support for Elon Musk and controversial legislative provisions he later admitted he hadn’t read.