GRAND HAVEN — Not even a power outage could dim the energy in Grand Haven's Central Park Place on Friday, March 29.

As inclement spring weather moved inland, U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids, met with constituents in Michigan's Third Congressional District — and they had a lot to say.

From potential cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, to steep tariffs against allies and enemies alike, to an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, constituents showed up to express their frustration and anger over policies and decision-making by President Donald J. Trump's administration.

"We are truly at a tipping point in our country, I believe, and we are facing a constitutional crisis on many different fronts over the last two months," Scholten told the crowd of about 350.

Scholten said her office has received thousands of calls over not just Trump's actions, but also those of top advisor and billionaire Elon Musk through the Department of Government Efficiency. Those actions have sparked protests from voters who are opposed to DOGE's activities, including gaining access to sensitive data for millions of Americans and shuttering entire agencies as the billionaire seeks to slash government spending.

"We hear a lot of folks say maybe people are just overreacting," Scholten said. "They say something like, 'It's Trump Derangement Syndrome.' It is so important to take stock of what is actually happening right now so we can ground ourselves. Over the last 60 days, Trump has appointed the world's richest man and his top campaign donor to a quasi-governmental role, and given him unprecedented access to critical information and decision-making over how your tax dollars are spent."

After brief remarks, Scholten welcomed questions over specific constituent concerns. Despite a brief power outage due to the weather conditions outside, Scholten continued to field questions and met with constituents afterward.

Bradly Fett, of Grand Haven, asked about Social Security, which Musk has said is "the big one to eliminate."

"It is my biggest concern ... that it's being dismantled. And the way it looks is that it's going to slowly collapse," Fett told ONN after the event. "And so I'm really concerned about the way it's going. If it does collapse, it's going to be a lot of people in real dire straits."

Scholten said Musk doesn't relate to everyday people and the social programs they have come to rely on.

"He said it in his own words, 'that's the big one that has to go,'" Scholten said. "He calls them entitlement programs, disparagingly, as though you've done nothing to earn it. I'll tell you what ... they are entitlement programs. It's your money, and you're entitled to it."

Scholten said Congress has to go further, however, to protect Social Security's long-term solvency.

"We need to look to a long-term solution. One often overlooked, very easy solution is growing the tax base through comprehensive immigration reform," she said. "My bill, the bipartisan DIGNITY Act, has been credited to be one of the best ideas to help make Social Security solvent for decades to come. I am not in favor of raising the age or making individuals work longer than they should. We have solutions here that will allow you to access your money, your money when you need it."

Joel Engel, of Fruitport Township in Muskegon County, pointed out that administrative costs for government-funded healthcare programs like Medicare are lower than privately funded companies and asked why the U.S. hasn't leaned into universal healthcare like many of its European counterparts.

Scholten agreed that the current choices have created a "two-tier system of 'haves' and 'have nots,'" but that doesn't mean she supports a government-run system for everyone.

"I don't support mandatory Medicare for all, but I do support Medicare for all who want it, creating that option for individuals to buy into it if they want," she said. "Part of the problem with forcing a government program on people is people don't want to change their their healthcare provider. A lot of people like the healthcare that they have. I am all about giving people the maximum amount of choice in their healthcare."

Anne English, of Grand Haven, said she is frustrated over the lack of a comprehensive response from Democrats to challenge Trump and fellow Republicans in Congress.

"I feel that there is no direction or leadership in the Democratic Party," English said to applause. "Maybe you need to take a real leadership role to get the country mobilized, to get us feeling like, yes, we do have hope that our representatives are listening to us."

Scholten said Trump and Republicans who support him is intentionally using a blitz technique to make it difficult for opponents to react.

"One of the things that this administration is intentionally doing is to paralyze us and to try to make us feel like nothing we can do will have an impact," she said. "They're trying to silence us. They want us to feel like we're not doing enough, like nothing that we do will ever work. And the most powerful thing that we can do is reject that premise, because we are pushing back and it is having an impact."

She said, although the pushback doesn't make the flashy headlines of the initial controversial decisions, there are things in motion to stop some of the policies from taking effect.

"We are seeing court cases succeed. We are seeing public pressure have an impact," she said. "Ask yourselves, why are Republicans not holding townhalls right now? Because they know they're wrong, they know they're wrong, and they don't want to face their voters, right?"

The comment seemingly referred to U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, a Republican who represents Michigan's Fourth Congressional District, who refused to hold in-person townhalls despite consistent demonstrations in front of his district offices.

After two tele-townhalls that left many voters dissatisfied, the Ottawa County Democrats hosted their own in-person townhall to voice their concerns.

Read More: 'Missing in action': Frustrated constituents host town hall aimed at Huizenga

As Scholten was answering questions in Grand Haven, Huizenga went to his Holland office and spoke with protestors.

Despite several questions about Trump's choice of cabinet members and choice of policies, Huizenga said he supports Trump in his decisions.

"I absolutely, 100% support the president," Huizenga told the group of protestors.

His statements left several protestors disappointed.

"I've known him for a long time," said one unidentified man in a video shared by the Ottawa Demsthose. "He used to care about his community. He used to care about manufacturing. Now he's just another safe vote. I guess we're gonna have to vote him out."

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Fett, who asked about Social Security, said he was impressed with Scholten's handling of residents' questions.

"I think she did really good," he said. "I mean, it's the first time I've met her and seen her in person, but I think she did a great job here today. I'm really impressed with her."

He said it's critical for elected officials to stay connected with their constituency.

"I feel more connected, definitely more connected with her. I feel I can talk to somebody now and that I have a direct line if I have a problem — that I can contact somebody."

— Sarah Leach is the executive editor of the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at sleach@ottawanewsnetwork.org. Follow her on Twitter @ONNLeach.