Rep. Dave Trott's political strategist plotted a way to frame a group of protestors at a recent town hall meeting in Novi, Mich., as "un-American," The Washington Post reported.
"We're gonna take that part where they're booing funding the military, and I'm going to get somebody to write a story," Stu Standler was overheard saying on a microphone he thought had been turned off. "We're gonna promote the shi** out of that. It's un-American crap."
Some crowd members booed Trott after he defended a budget increase for defense funding.
Fox News' "Fox & Friends" framed the story the way Standler spoke about it backstage at the event.
Michigan Indivisible Groups asked for Trott to apologize.
"Congressman Trott needs to apologize to his constituents right away," said Mark Barbieri, a Trott constituent who was at the meeting. "Calling an entire crowd of concerned citizens 'un-American' is no way for an elected official to treat their constituents. I am literally fighting for my son's life, and to be called 'un-American' is beyond the pale."
Standler, when reached for comment, said he was "shocked and appalled" at the booing when Trott stated he supported "more funding for our military."
"Our troops deserve better equipment and more pay," Standler said.
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