The Idaho Republican Party (IDGOP) today announced its official position supporting the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC) following recent events at a legislative town hall in Coeur d’Alene.

The Idaho GOP State Party stands firm in our belief that free speech is the bedrock of a free society, a right for all to be heard and not silenced by disruption. We uphold the rule of law as the guardian of this liberty, ensuring gatherings remain civil and productive. “When one voice drowns out many” is not just an expression, it’s a heckler’s veto. This is a tactic we reject outright. Order protects discourse; chaos erodes it.

The February 22 legislative town hall event, attended by over 450 people, was intended to provide a venue where participants could engage with elected officials about the 2025 legislative session. Announced twice as a private event, it welcomed public attendance-until one attendee interrupted proceedings 7 times, shouting over elected officials. The Sheriff issued 5 clear orders to leave, which were refused. When security, directed by the Sheriff, intervened, the individual physically resisted, striking and injuring them.

Newly released police bodycam footage and videos from the event provide a clearer picture of what transpired. These materials confirm that:

• Security personnel were professional and clearly identified.
• The actions taken were a response to aggressive and disruptive behavior, not passive dissent.
• The rights of the 450 attendees to participate in the event were disrupted by the actions of one individual.

The IDGOP reaffirms its commitment to free speech as a foundational value but it does not extend to violence or the suppression of other’s voices. The Idaho Republican Party condemns the heckler’s veto as an assault on reason, not a defense of rights. Choices matter, and some have questioned the KCRCC’s actions without addressing the conduct that necessitated them-clarity requires both sides of the story.

The KCRCC has carried this burden with resolve, and we stand with them. Evidence with bodycam and event footage shows the real story plain and simple. A strong majority, 76% of Americans, agree disruptors should be removed. We call on Idahoans to embrace these principles: free speech, upheld by law, for the good of all. Let’s move forward together.