Chaffetz faces harsh criticism during packed town hall

Hundreds of people stood outside the auditorium holding signs and chanting, “Vote him out,” while one woman was arrested and put into handcuffs.

Chaffetz said earlier in the day that he hopes Trump will repeal the newly-named Bears Ears National Monument in southern Utah, something he discussed with the president during a Tuesday meeting at the White House.

Chaffetz said Trump’s Interior Secretary nominee, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana, wants to see Bears Ears before making any commitments about what, if anything, the Trump administration will do.

President Barack Obama named the monument in December after several years of lobbying from a coalition of Native Americans who said the protection was needed for the sacred tribal lands.

Holly Cobb Robinson from Salt Lake City said the congressman’s push to repeal the monument would result in more drilling and mining for coal, which would destroy the land.

“Protecting your public lands provides a better future for not only communities and people who are visiting, but also habitats and revenue,” she said.

The town hall comes as Chaffetz spends time in his home state, speaking to the state’s lawmakers and visiting with Muslim leaders.

The congressman spoke with Muslim leaders Wednesday in Salt Lake City, and said that Trump’s ban was rushed but singled out the “the right countries.”

Muslim leaders told the congressman that people stuck in refugee camps aren’t safe and that the ban caused great anxiety among Muslim-Americans.

The Mormon congressman said he empathizes and if Trump imposes a “religious litmus test,” he’ll push back.

Thursday, he encouraged lawmakers — mostly fellow Mormons — to visit mosques and reach out to Muslims in their community, noting that those “people that have been vetted.”

“We should know a few things about being a religious minority,” he said.

Utah lawmakers asked Chaffetz if he’d use his role as the powerful chairman of the House Oversight Committee to investigate Trump’s business interests.

“My job is not to be a cheerleader for the president,” Chaffetz said.

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Price reported from Salt Lake City.

Hallie Golden And Michelle L. Price, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Chaffetz faces harsh criticism during packed town hall

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