Democrat veteran ejected from Rep. Chuck Edwards’ town hall after heated outburst
Jay Carey, a retired Army veteran and former congressional candidate, confronted Rep. Edwards with expletives over VA concerns before being escorted out by law enforcement.
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ASHEVILLE, N.C.— A town hall hosted by Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College turned chaotic Thursday night when Jay Carey, a 54-year-old Democratic activist and retired Army veteran, erupted into a profanity-laced tirade before being escorted out by law enforcement.
The event, meant to provide constituents a chance to engage with their representative, instead became a heated confrontation, as Carey accused Edwards of lying and shouted, “Do your job!” before several police officers removed him. For much of the 90-minute session, Edwards faced boos, jeers, and pointed questions from the packed audience of roughly 300 inside the auditorium, while an estimated 1,000 protesters gathered outside.
Before the event, Carey told local media, “My plan is to call him out.” And that’s exactly what he did, launching into a vocal attack just 25 minutes in. The Arden resident, who previously ran in the Democratic primary for Congress in 2022, has been vocal about his opposition to Edwards and broader Republican policies.
While Carey’s frustration seemed personal—his home flooded during Hurricane Helene in September, destroying his small business—the larger themes of his anger aligned with Democratic talking points. He focused particularly on what he claimed were “cuts” to the Department of Veterans Affairs, despite the fact that no such mass layoffs have occurred.
A leaked internal memo from earlier in March did show that VA officials had considered downsizing the department, but the claim that “80,000 jobs are being cut” is misinformation. The mainstream media, including outlets like the Associated Press and WLOS, have amplified these unfounded fears, misleading the public about the actual state of VA reforms.
The U.S. VA Press Secretary Pete Kasperowicz addressed these concerns directly:
"The Biden Administration astronomically grew the department’s budget and number of employees, and VA wait times and backlogs increased. We are doing things differently. But the legacy media, government union bosses, and some in Congress are working together to use rumor, innuendo and disinformation to spread fear in the hopes that the department will just keep in place the status quo.
Here are the facts: VA health care has been on the Government Accountability Office’s high-risk list since 2015. It is still on the list to this day. In other words, VA has had serious problems for at least 10 years running. That’s why our efforts to reform the department are so important. VA has laid off 2,400 probationary employees in non-mission-critical positions, such as publicists, interior designers, and diversity, equity and inclusion officers. That’s one half of one percent of VA’s workforce. So the notion that these layoffs are causing issues across the department is false."
Political Tensions in Asheville
Asheville, a mid-sized urban hub surrounded by the rural hills of western North Carolina, is the seat of Buncombe County—one of the few Democratic strongholds in the state. While North Carolina leans red, Trump secured less than 40% of the vote in Buncombe County in the last election, making events like Edwards’ town hall a prime target for organized left-wing opposition.
Certainly, Carey was not alone in his outrage. Many Democrats in attendance echoed his sentiments, though contrary to some reports, there is no evidence that these were paid protesters. (It is nearly impossible for anyone to confirm that any individual is being paid for such things in the absence of a whistleblower.) The anger appeared to be organic but driven largely by misinformation and media-driven narratives about Republican policies.
Meanwhile, Edwards remained calm throughout the event. Even as members of the crowd attempted to drown him out, he methodically laid out his legislative priorities, particularly his efforts to secure additional federal disaster relief funds for Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.
When asked about FEMA funding, Edwards addressed concerns over proposed budget changes:
“We are working to make sure Western North Carolina gets the help it needs, but we also have a duty to ensure that federal programs are running efficiently. Throwing endless money at a broken system doesn’t fix it.”
Despite Edwards’ attempts to focus on policy, much of the crowd was uninterested in listening. When he explained that Trump’s administration had already allocated millions in relief funds, the room erupted in groans.
Carey’s History of Political Losses and Questionable Social Media Posts
It’s worth noting that Carey’s involvement in local politics hasn’t exactly been successful. After losing in the Democratic primary for Congress in 2022, he also lost a race against State Senator Tim Moffitt. These defeats have left him bitter, and his aggressive outburst at the town hall seemed to reflect lingering political frustrations rather than substantive policy grievances.
Carey has since doubled down on his rhetoric, saying he has “no regrets” about his expletive-filled tirade. He told Asheville Watchdog on Friday,
“I do feel that the days of being cordial and respectful are over, because we’re not being respected.”
Ironically, while Carey demands respect from elected officials, his behavior at the town hall demonstrates an unwillingness to extend the same courtesy.
A review of his social media by Cops & Congress showed that, for stress relief, he would “burn” “marijuana” and “racists.” He also praised his son’s homicidal thoughts: “Dad, if we see a Nazi on the road we should run him over, then back up and run him over again. This just gives me the warm and fuzzies all over!”
Media Misinformation and the Weaponization of Outrage
The fallout from Thursday’s town hall has been amplified by the usual players in the left-leaning media, who continue to push the false narrative of massive VA job losses. Meanwhile, video clips of Carey’s outburst have gone viral, further fueling division.
What’s clear is that Asheville remains a hotbed for Democratic activism, and figures like Carey are eager to keep tensions high. The broader question is whether voters in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District—especially those in more rural, conservative areas—will buy into the left’s manufactured outrage or see through the media spin.
At the end of the night, Edwards shrugged off the hostility and maintained his composure.
“Hey, this has been fun,” he said with a smile. “I really appreciate the energy that you brought, the contradiction of opinions from time to time, the passion that I hear, the patriotism that I sense in this room.”
For now, the battle for the narrative continues. Will the truth win out, or will the misinformation machine keep spinning? One thing is certain: elections are won not in town hall chaos but at the ballot box.
Opinion & Analysis: Cops & Congress Commentary
Three Takeaways from the Asheville Town Hall Chaos
The town hall with Rep. Edwards in Asheville was supposed to be a chance for constituents to engage in meaningful dialogue. Instead, it turned into a political spectacle, complete with shouting, misinformation, and organized outrage. Here are three key takeaways from the event and what it means for the bigger picture in my view.
1. Manufactured Outrage is the Left’s New Playbook
Carey, a Democratic activist and retired military veteran, didn’t show up to ask questions—he came to cause a scene. He admitted it beforehand, telling reporters, “My plan is to call him out.” And when his moment arrived, he didn’t debate policy or ask tough but fair questions—he shouted accusations, hurled profanity, and forced law enforcement to remove him.
This kind of performative protest isn’t about holding politicians accountable—it’s about fueling viral moments. The left-wing media and Democratic strategists know that rage-driven clips spread like wildfire. This tactic has been used nationwide: disrupt, scream, and then claim victimhood when security steps in. But it’s not working the way they think. Voters are growing tired of chaos masquerading as activism.
2. The Media is Driving Misinformation About the VA
Carey’s outrage centered on a claim that the federal government is gutting the Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically through “80,000 job cuts.” That’s false. The only actual layoffs have been 2,400 probationary employees in non-mission-critical roles like publicists, interior designers, and DEI officers—a fraction of VA’s workforce.
But the left doesn’t need facts to push its agenda. The media has taken a leaked memo discussing potential budget considerations and turned it into a full-scale crisis narrative, as VA Press Secretary Pete Kasperowicz clarified.
The Biden administration’s reckless expansion of the VA did nothing to fix long-standing issues like backlogs and long wait times. The Trump administration is taking steps to reform it, but the establishment, unions, and their media allies are using fearmongering to resist change.
3. Rep. Chuck Edwards Showed How Conservatives Should Handle Hostility
Despite being shouted down, mischaracterized, and confronted by a hostile crowd, Edwards stayed composed. He calmly presented facts, refused to take the bait, and reminded the audience that debate—when done in good faith—strengthens democracy.
That’s how a leader handles opposition. Edwards didn’t stoop to their level; he let the facts and the contrast speak for themselves. Meanwhile, Carey and his allies left the event appearing unhinged and unreasonable.
The Bottom Line
This town hall was never about policy discussions—it was about political theater. The left’s tactics are becoming increasingly transparent, and voters are paying attention. Manufactured outrage, media misinformation, and activist disruptions won’t win elections. Facts, leadership, and real solutions will.
🏛️ All those mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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If that Carey guy wants people to listen to what he has to say, he needs to dial it back a notch. He obviously has a lot to be angry about, but direct that anger constructively & make it work for you, not against you. Nobody respects a raging idiot.