After confronting angry constituents, Republicans are complaining about “outside agitators” and “paid protestors.” The closer one looks, the worse this appears.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) claimed without offering any evidence Wednesday that Americans who attended recent rowdy Republican town halls were “paid protesters.” Several GOP lawmakers have been booed or confronted at the local events this month by constituents concerned about the Trump administration’s efforts to fire thousands of federal workers.