Indivisible Knoxville, Knox Dems HostEmpty Chair Town Hall
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (Mar. 21, 2025)—Indivisible Knoxville, the Knox County Democratic Party, nonpartisan organizations and the community have come together to host a town hall for republicans, independents, and democrats of East Tennessee to share their stories and concerns about the reckless policy decisions supported by Congressman Tim Burchett. The event is Friday, March 21st at 6 p.m. at the Deane Hill Recreation Center (7400 Deane Hill Dr NW, Knoxville, TN 37919).
Congressman Burchett, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, and Sen. Bill Hagerty all refused or refused to answer this invitation to speak to their constituents here in East Tennessee.
“Indivisible Knoxville is excited to offer this chance for all voters to hold our elected officials accountable,” said Marie Illingworth, Indivisible Knoxville Lead Organizer. “They work for us, not unelected billionaires, and they need to hear our stories, from both sides of the aisle. We are all in this together to hold our elected officials accountable to we the people, indivisible.”
Rep. Burchett has been a cheerleader for Elon Musk and Trump’s cabinet of billionaires as they’ve made cuts to programs and agencies that serve East Tennesseans. Rep. Burchett was a decisive vote to advance the Trump administration budget, which will require cuts to Medicaid and SNAP as currently laid out. As East Tennessee farmers were hit by cuts to USAID, Rep. Burchett did not step up for his constituents. As veterans are being hit by staffing cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Rep. Burchett has not stepped up for his constituents. As our seniors are being put under strain from changes and cuts to the Social Security Administration, Rep. Burchett has not stepped up for his constituents.
“Congressman Burchett will not stand up against his pals in Washington D.C.,” said Knox Dems Chair Stuart Hohl. “One phone call from the President is all it took for Tim Burchett to sell us out. He doesn’t care if D.C. politics causes you to lose your job, the food off your table, your retirement, or your dignity. While Burchett hides from his constituents - republicans, independents, and democrats all in one room - the people of his district will be talking about the impact that policies and cuts are already having on the East Tennessee way of life.”
