A woman was forcibly dragged out of an Idaho town hall and hospitalized after interrupting the event to ask questions about Medicaid and reproductive rights.
Teresa Borrenpohl was pushed to the ground and then dragged out by Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris and three private security guards at the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee legislative town hall while onlookers watched, with some booing and some cheering.
Why It Matters
Borrenpohl was forced to the ground by several unmarked security officers after asking whether the event was a lecture or a town hall. Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Lee White has said this action violated the First Amendment right to freedom of speech.
This comes around the same time as several Republican members of Congress have experienced tough questions at their town halls, largely surrounding Elon Musk's role in the federal government.
What To Know
Borrenpohl told the Idaho Statesman that people who were cheering for GOP policies at the town hall were not told to stop, but whenever anyone expressed dissent, they were scolded.
Her friends, Megan Kunz and Tamara Sines-Kermelis told KTVB that Borrenpohl was told to "shut up" when attempting to ask questions.
She was not the only person interjecting throughout the event, as several people were there to express their support for Medicaid. However she was the only person who was tackled to the ground.
After she was dragged out of the event, several other people also left, per local media reports.
The emcee of the event, Ed Bejarana, called Borrenpohl a "little girl," at the town hall, saying: "This little girl does not want to leave. She spoke up and now does not want to suffer the consequences."
He also called all of the people expressing dissent at the event "crazy people," as can be seen from video footage of the town hall circulating across social media.
In the video of the event, Norris says to Borrenpohl: "Get up or be arrested." He then directs the unmarked guards to haul Borrenpohl out of her seat.
In the video, Borrenpohl can be seen asking the men several times to identify themselves, which they did not do. Although, in the video, it is clear that Sheriff Norris directed the men to grab Borrenpohl, he then told the Idaho Statesman that he did not know the security personnel.
Norris also told the Statesman that their actions were in keeping with the event's protocols, however he did not explain what those protocols were.
Chief Lee told the Statesman these security guards worked for a private firm, LEAR Asset Management.
LEAR Asset Management and the Kootenai Sheriff's Department have been contacted via email for comment.
There were police officers outside of the event due to a recent threat against Coeur d'Alene Representative Jordan Redman. However, they were not inside the event, nor were they notified about a commotion.
Borrenpohl has also received a citation by the police for battery as she bit one of the people dragging her out of the event.
What People Are Saying
Teresa Borrenpohl posted to her Instagram: "I could have never imagined by right to free speech and my right to assemble could be stripped in such a violent way."
Police Chief White told the Idaho Statesman: "I don't care what your message is, especially in an open town hall like this. We have to respect everybody's First Amendment rights, regardless of what side of the aisle you happen to sit on. I know there's some people up here who probably disagree with me and would like us to take action and maybe try to silence a voice that's in opposition to theirs at a town hall, but there's very little we can do with regard to First Amendment protections. We have to make sure people have the protections afforded them under the Constitution."
Idaho Democratic Party: "Our democracy rests upon our First Amendment rights...It's a very sad day when a woman who voices dissent is forcibly dragged out of a public venue by unidentified men while the event moderator belittles and taunts her. Idaho deserves better."
Justice for Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl: Fight for the First, GoFundMe: "This detainment wasn't just an unfortunate moment—it was an illegal violation of Dr. Borrenpohl's rights. She was denied her freedom of assembly, her freedom of speech, and most importantly, her right to be free from unlawful detention. This is not just an isolated event; it is a chilling reminder that, even in the United States, our civil liberties can be stripped away without warning."
What Happens Next
Police Chief White is investigating whether LEAR Asset Management has the right within the city ordinance to force someone out of an event. He told the Statesman they may have their license to operate in Coeur d'Alene revoked.
It is unknown at this time whether Borrenpohl will launch a civil rights suit against those involved in taking her from the auditorium.
The GoFundMe for Borrenpohl's future legal costs has already raised $52,194. Its original goal was $30,000.
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