LYNN — U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton sharply criticized President Donald Trump and called for stronger congressional oversight of military action during a town hall meeting Saturday, while also fielding questions from constituents on immigration enforcement, election laws, and the direction of the Democratic Party.
Speaking to residents gathered in Lynn, the Massachusetts Democrat opened the event by condemning the administration’s military actions in Iran, saying the president had begun a conflict “without a plan” and without seeking approval from Congress.
Moulton, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, drew comparisons to the early days of the Iraq War, arguing that both conflicts involved questionable justifications and lacked clear strategies for what would happen after military action.
“Donald Trump is asking American servicemen and women to risk their lives because of his mistake,” Moulton said, criticizing the administration for not consulting Congress before launching attacks.
The town hall quickly shifted to a wide range of domestic issues as residents raised concerns about immigration enforcement, election security, and political polarization.
Several attendees questioned Moulton about the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The congressman said abuses by federal immigration authorities must be investigated and prosecuted, citing incidents of alleged mistreatment during immigration operations and protests.
“We need to prosecute ICE if they break the law,” Moulton said, arguing that federal agents should face the same legal accountability as local law enforcement.
Others asked how citizens could safely participate in protests amid fears of federal enforcement actions. Moulton said local officials and advocacy groups were working to provide training on lawful protest and civil rights protections.
Immigration policy also emerged as a broader political issue. Moulton said Democrats need to clearly define their positions, outlining what he described as three priorities: prosecuting abuses by immigration authorities, creating legal pathways for immigrants to enter the country, and establishing a path to citizenship for long-term residents brought to the United States as children.
Audience members also pressed the congressman about election procedures, including voter identification requirements. Moulton acknowledged concerns about verifying voters’ identities but said studies consistently show voter fraud is rare. He suggested that a standardized national identification system could simplify voting while avoiding barriers that might disenfranchise eligible voters.
Throughout the discussion, Moulton repeatedly criticized what he described as political dysfunction in Washington, saying Congress has failed to serve as a meaningful check on presidential power.
“Most of my colleagues are pretty smart,” he said. “What’s lacking in Congress is not intelligence but courage.”
The congressman also argued that Democrats must present a clearer agenda ahead of upcoming elections, focusing on economic concerns such as housing, health care, and education.
The event concluded with questions about the party’s future and strategy heading into the next election cycle. Moulton said Democrats must regain public trust by addressing voters’ concerns directly.
“When you’ve lost trust, you need to change,” he said. “You can’t keep doing the same old thing.”
