A legislative town hall organized by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee devolved into chaos Saturday when unidentified, plainclothes security personnel dragged a Post Falls woman from the Coeur d’Alene High School auditorium for heckling legislators.
Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White confirmed Sunday that the men who dragged Teresa Borrenpohl from the meeting worked for the private security firm LEAR Asset Management.
While the scene quickly escalated, Ed Bejarana, the event’s emcee who is a voiceover talent and has launched the Business Buffet podcast, continued speaking over the commotion, commenting on the protester.
"Look at this little girl over here, everyone. Look at her," he said, referring to Borrenpohl. His remarks were met with shouts from the audience, some of whom held signs reading, "Save Voter Approved Medicaid."
Bejarana then defended the removal, accusing protesters of attempting to "filibuster" the event as he continued talking about DOGE. "We've got to be a little aggressive with some of these folks here," he said. "Your voice is meaningless right now...I can talk over all of you."
Newsweek:
However, according to Coeur d’Alene resident Tonya Jean, who posted the video to Facebook, she condemned the town hall for not allowing the public to comment, alleging that those with “differing perspectives were told to ‘shut up.'”
“At today’s KCRCC ‘town hall’ event at CHS auditorium in Coeur d’Alene, ID, the public was not allowed to comment. Those with differing perspectives were repeatedly told to ‘shut up or get the hell out.’ And when one woman simply asked if this was a lecture or an actual town hall, she was forcibly removed.”
According to KREM 2 News, Norris said CDAPD cited Borrenpohl for trespassing and battery.
