Following a March town hall in Wheatland, an elderly woman approached Rep. Harriet Hageman and spoke in an “aggressive manner” with her hands close to the representative’s face, a Wheatland Police Department report released to WyoFile this week shows.
One of Hageman’s staff members moved between the elderly woman and the lawmaker, and a Wheatland police officer took hold of the elderly woman’s wrists. The woman apologized and walked away, according to the report. No charges were filed and the officer does not appear to have taken down the woman’s name.
There were no other incidents that required law enforcement either during or after the event, according to Wheatland Police Sgt. Dalton Minsaas’ report.
Hageman cited the Wheatland incident as one of the safety threats that spurred her to move her town halls online for a time. Hageman this week restarted in-person town halls in Buffalo and Dayton, but required people to register for them ahead of time.
The Wheatland police report aligns with Hageman’s account of the incident, but provides more detail.
“An attendee followed Hageman leaving the venue and initiated a physical confrontation with staff, into which local police were forced to intervene,” Hageman’s staff wrote in their March statement about moving town halls online.
The March 20 Wheatland town hall followed a raucous event in Laramie the night before, where Hageman was booed and heckled by people upset by the actions of President Donald Trump and his billionaire ally Elon Musk. Still, law enforcement at the Laramie event told WyoFile there were no incidents and officers did not remove anyone.
In Wheatland, security was significant and led by the Platte County Sheriff’s Office. Four Wheatland PD officers joined deputies guarding the event, with different assignments, according to a second police report released to WyoFile, this one written by Sgt. Russell Swingle.
Hageman also cited the strain placed on law enforcement resources as a reason for moving her events online. In Buffalo on Thursday night, she met a mixed reception that included both support and jeering, the Cowboy State Daily reported.
There were no incidents that required an intervention from law enforcement, Buffalo Police Department Captain Garth Nicholas told WyoFile on Friday.
WyoFile requested the Wheatland reports under the Wyoming Public Records Act on March 27. They were released Thursday, although it’s not clear when the reports were written. Traci Swingle, the department’s administrative assistant, told WyoFile she was unable to provide that information.
Constituent anger
Republican lawmakers nationwide have faced anger and indignation from their constituents when they’ve returned from Washington, D.C. to their home states, as the Musk-led DOGE initiative continues to sharply reduce and restructure government programs.
Hageman cast the people who heckled her in Laramie and elsewhere as organized protesters, and some conservatives falsely suggested they had come into the state from elsewhere to flood the events — or were even paid protesters.
The police reports show Hageman faced upset constituents in Wheatland too.
“During the town hall, I could hear ‘boos’ from the crowd,” wrote Swingle, who was posted in the lobby of Wheatland High School, where the town hall was held.
Minsaas was standing by the high school auditorium’s entrance as people were exiting. Hageman came up a set of stairs toward the doors where Minsaas was posted, and the officer watched “an elderly female” who was “moving in a quick manner to get close to Hageman.”
One of Hageman’s staffers, who is not named in the report, stepped between the two women, Minsaas wrote. Hageman’s staff did not respond to a WyoFile request for additional details about the incident.
“The elderly female was communicating to Hageman in what appeared to be an aggressive manner,” Minsaas wrote. “I also observed the elderly female’s hands were up and close to Hageman’s face.”
The officer “gained control” of the constituent’s wrists, he wrote, and “explained to her that she could communicate with Hageman, but she needed to keep her hands to her side.” The woman apologized and walked away.
Hageman’s staff and law enforcement walked with the congresswoman out of the building.
“There is nothing further to report on this matter,” Minsaas concluded.
The flavor of this article is what? Thane, when Hageman is able to handpick who attends these faux ‘town hall’ sessions, of course only her diehard fanboys will be in the audience. But, believe what you want, Thane but a true representative of the people serves all, not just a cherry picked few
I would seem that if elected officials would help stop Trumps behavior, and judging from the polls this is what people want, then the behavior at the town halls would cease. This is suppose to be a democracy, and clearly the majority want him out of office.
His billionaire ally? Gee your derangement syndrome is showing.
Haha, that is rich. The only thing organized, orchestrated, united or in any way cohered about “us” is the dissatisfaction of this Greed is Good, Cruelty is Profitable and Chaos is the Modality grift that, among other ghoulish things, distributes wealth from the working class (of all political affiliations) to the already obscenely rich. Republicans who are serving now could have this administration impeached by the end of the week – ending this for good – but they will not because they’re in on the grift. Dismantle>Privatize>Profit at the expense of the poor and working class.
“Hageman cast the people who heckled her in Laramie and elsewhere as organized protesters, and some conservatives falsely suggested they had come into the state from elsewhere to flood the events — or were even paid protesters.”
I suppose that’s all she’s got left to say when her constituents are indicating that they don’t appreciate her actions. Which begs the question of just how aggressive we should be to get her attention. We’d all like to be polite and hope for an attentive ear, but — with folks like Hageman — that’s not going to be effective. Good to read to someone is getting in her face.
“Paid protestors” is quite the tired trope. The alt-right’s coping mechanism.
Nobody needs to be paid to speak out against the grift, incompetence and corruption that is the 2025 ‘Murika. We are happy to do it for free. The world despises ‘Murika’s alt-right, no payments necessary. Because of human garbage like hageman, we are now seen as a failed state, and Americans do not like that. So, Americans are speaking up.
Our portly rep is going to be worrying about a lot more than an elderly woman soon. When the tariff induced shortages hit and the price gouging starts, the characters from WY’s meth wastelands will turn on her like starving hyenas on a three-legged cat.
Photos of the ports in Seattle and Tacoma, WA were going viral yesterday, because they are empty. No ships. Similar story in Los Angeles, CA. Shipments from China are reportedly down over 40%. For the backrow cheering this on, hold your applause for a few months, then get back to us from your Dollar Store’s empty shelves. While the WH felon was once again humiliating America on the world stage, in his gaudy blue suit and front row snoozing during Pope Francis’ funeral, no trade deals were being made. Even his lying Secretary of Treasury dodged questions about trade deals on the Sunday talking heads. No deals, no ships. No ships, no basics for the backrow consumer. No basics, hageman has a problem.
Canada is voting today. 6 months ago, the Canadian Liberals, led by the very unpopular Justing Trudeau, were looking at heavy losses. Thanks to the bone spur bounce, Canada’s Center-Left is likely to win a majority.
In a strange way, although the 34x felon is destroying American democracy (with plenty of help from 71 million traitors), he’s bolstering liberal democracy in other countries who now see the US as a rogue threat. He’s also helping reduce carbon emissions that contribute to global climate change, by negatively impacting global shipping and US trucking/rail.
I’ve written her 2x and have received her canned comments proving she did not read a word. I agree with the comment above that all 3 will get their justice in the end for continuing their war on the poor, homeless, mentally ill, non-white, immigrants and on and on. Meanwhile all we can do is protest against them even if they try to keep all opposing opinions out of their town halls. Vote her OUT. PLEASE- if she runs for governor as is rumored, primary her out! I’d bet she wants out of Washington as she doesn’t know what she’s doing.
Wyoming has long been a recipient of federal subsidies. I’m hoping that the good side of having Trump/ Musk do away with many might cause the voters to rethink MAGA. What goes around tends to come around
I’m happy to vote them all out, but what we need is strong alternative candidates (of whatever political party) with the backbone to stand up for Wyoming and the Constitution. Please, young people with a passion for democracy, step up to the plate and offer your energy and vision in the service of your own future and that of the 7 generations to come.
yes Linda
I think we are missing the forest for the trees, here. Has Congresswoman Hageman stopped for one second think of why these people might so upset that they (likely against their nature) are acting out? There could be something constructive to be learned here, and that is maybe she is acting against her constituents (the people you represent…remember, Harriett?) and they are justifiably upset. I would love for her to ask herself how she could be true to the people of Wyoming, as we have asked. But you know she won’t. Instead of looking in the mirror, she will deflect blame back on those who have every reason to be upset.
“Perceived Threats” v. “True Threats”? See:
Watts v. United States – SCOTUS 1969 & Counterman v. Colorado – SCOTUS 2023!
Waving your arms in an “Aggressive Manner(?)” is a Perceived Threat and therefore protected First Amendment Speech!!!!
The “Elderly Woman(?)” should file a 1983 Civil Rights Claim (acting under the color of law) against the Police Officer for assault for grabbing the “elderly woman’s(?)” wrists!
Long live the First Amendment! Use it or loose it!!!!!!
“I do not fight fascists because I will win. I fight fascists because they are fascists.”
― Chris Hedges, Wages of Rebellion: The Moral Imperative of Revolt
Trying to influence Hageman into accepting anything other than her own preconceived ideas is pretty much a waste of time. She is impervious to changing her views. She claims that the couple of town halls she had this past week were to listen and inform her constituents but they really weren’t. They were to shore up herself and her own ideas. The town hall that I went to was very controlled featuring 4 or five policemen and their K-9 in plain view in front of the auditorium. All attendees were required to pre-register to attend. No persons in the audience were allowed to stand up and ask questions. All questions were submitted beforehand in writing. She dismissed out of hand any ideas that were contrary to her own. I know it naturally makes us uncomfortable to listen to people we don’t agree with but I think in politics especially, that’s part of the job description.
Really? One gets afraid of a fired up elderly lady? No conflict resolution skills? Disgraceful!!
My worry is that Hageman will run to be our next governor.
Lord help us all.
If you think she’s bad now, just think of what she will do to our state.
We must all stay strong and everyone needs to vote her out of all politics.
Her actions seem to support a run at Governor. She visited the state institution I work at last month. We couldn’t figure out why she was here, she didn’t want to talk to any staff and didn’t really care about what we did, but rather seem to want to get dirt on Gov Gordan (what he did good and bad). We could only figure out she was gather talking points for a governor campaign.
You have a wonderful state. Do not let this subversive evil get embedded in your politics. Patience. We’ll get thru this. I’m in California. You don’t want this. Rep. Harriet Hageman is doing a good job.
Bot? Troll farm?
Stay in California
Not surprising. Hageman has terrible people skills. She insults people including the mentally ill. She needs to learn to have self control then maybe she wouldn’t have so many people on her case.
She got her training from the orange menace.
It’s true that foolish men herd up with other foolish men. Do and say foolish things and are given the fools reward. It’s also true that a righteous man seeks knowledge and understanding. Seeks out other righteous men and are rewarded Wisdom, that is greater than any forged silver or gold. I choose to seek more knowledge and understanding of those that offer it. Instead of the chaos and contentions of fools.
She’s afraid of a little old lady who immediately apologized and walked away? I mean, I wouldn’t underestimate a Wyoming woman either but for Pete’s sake.
Hag needs to go, especially if she’s scared of the elderly-they make up about 50% of our state population.
The flavor of this article is inaccurate. The audience in the almost full Wheatland HS auditorium were almost entirely supportive. I know most of them from having been 33 years in business here in this county. The loud and disruptive few, I had honestly never seen in my life prior to that night. Out of state? I don’t know, certainly not from around here though.
Don’t do that.
Why are you sacrificing your reputation as, hopefully, an honest person to defend and perpetuate a political lie?
Thane, of course,”most” of the audiences were supportive. Republican constituents are struggling to justify their loyalty to what has become a chaotic frightening mess, not to mention alot of it unconstitutional. What they refuse to accept is that there are Democrats who live in Wyoming, as well as Republicans who are fearful & upset, all of whom are finally speaking up! Coming from out of state? Give me a break! Harriet isn’t worth the gas money. The old lady who spoke up because she needed to, feeling cornered & helpless. It was her right, the reason for town halls, not just blind acceptance of a delegate who isn’t doing her job. My husband spoke up to a neighbor who disagrees politically with us recently….it was uncomfortable and later my husband apologized, just like the old lady did. Our opinions matter, they have been stifled for too long. We are NOT radicals because we think differently. What’s happening in DC is outrageous and wrong!! Get used to us speaking up. Harriet & the other 2 likely won’t be doing live town halls in the future, not because they are dangerous, but because those 3 are self-serving cowards.
Integrity, Thane. Integrity.
Oooooh, “aggressive” little old lady waves her hands and raises her voice and HAGeman, in terror for her very being, calls on law enforcement!
Seems like republicans are afraid of their constituents demanding answers.
It won’t be forgotten.
These Republicans aren’t listening to us. It is a waste of time to go to their town halls. I wrote an email asking to impeach Trump and get rid of musk but there has been no real action. They think musk is really looking for fraud and waste. He is destroying agencies that want to regulate his crookedness.
This is one of the funnier stories I’ve read all week. Thanks for uncovering the truth behind some of the twisted truths our delegation is feeding us.
Who knows, in Wyoming, this elderly lady may have had a concealed rocket launcher on her person, locked and loaded…
The positive in this continuing saga is that historically, anyone who has firmly attached themselves to Donald Trump (such as John, Cynthia, and Harriet) will ultimately pay the price for their fealty and go down in flames….unless the elderly lady from Wheatland gets them first with her rocket launcher….sheesh.
Thanks again for another great story Andrew.
Wanna bet if you’re a Democrat and register to attend you won’t get in?
Harriet brings out the [ ____________ ] in us.
Resistance!
Grandmother
Cowards are afraid of true “open” town hall meetings plus apparently little old ladies. Hag, you’re a joke and a disgrace rolled into one ball of excrement
For goodness sake, vote this woman out.
this was the “threat to safety” she was worried about??
hageman is a shitshow
Thanks for that!
It’s true and I agree 100%