Sherman Draws Huge Turnout for Telephone Town Hall Reviewing Trump’s First Year

Sherman Oaks, CA — More than 3,000 residents from across California’s 32nd Congressional District dialed in Wednesday evening for a live telephone town hall with Congressman Brad Sherman, turning what is usually a routine constituency event into a robust forum on immigration, foreign policy and political accountability.

The telephone town hall — Sherman’s first of 2026 — focused squarely on reactions to the first year of former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Participants asked questions and responded to live surveys during the roughly 75-minute call, underscoring sharp local concerns about federal policy and political leadership.

Sherman opened by characterizing the past year under the Trump administration as marked by “chaos, overreach, and a disregard for both civil liberties and international norms,” remarks that set the tone for much of the discussion. He highlighted what he said were aggressive immigration enforcement policies that “have torn families apart and spread fear throughout Los Angeles–area communities and beyond.”

The congressman addressed national outrage over the recent fatal shooting of Minnesota mother Renee Good by an ICE officer, calling it a “tragic consequence” of an administration that has, in his view, abandoned oversight and restraint. Sherman said he will oppose any appropriations measure that funds Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and reiterated his support for efforts to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

As senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Sherman also used the platform to criticize what he described as reckless rhetoric from the White House on international affairs — especially repeated talk about Greenland. He highlighted his recent introduction of the “Hands Off Greenland” Act, aimed at blocking unilateral efforts to seize or acquire the Arctic territory, arguing that such actions undermine U.S. alliances and global stability.

California Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, representing the Northwest San Fernando Valley, joined Sherman as a featured guest. Schiavo spoke about priorities at the state level and the importance of coordination between Sacramento and Washington, particularly on issues like civil liberties and family protections during a time of political polarization.

The telephone town hall format — now a staple of Sherman’s outreach approach — allows residents to engage directly with their representative without leaving home. This strategy has drawn thousands in recent years, reflecting growing demand for real-time interaction over distant or formalized legislative communication.