Eat the Rich or Serve the People? Civic Duty in Action Weber County Lincoln Day Lunch: UPDATE

I arrived at the Timbermine Steakhouse in Ogden just after 11:00 a.m., in time for the meet and greet ahead of the Weber County GOP’s annual Lincoln Day Luncheon. As a Utah State Senator, I’ve attended many such events—gatherings where policy and principle intersect—but what awaited us outside was unlike anything I had experienced before. A crowd of protesters lined the entrance, not with polite dissent, but with outstretched middle fingers and chants of “Eat the rich!” The air crackled with hostility. It was not just a protest—it was a spectacle of outrage, aimed squarely at those of us inside.

Navigating through the crowd, I was struck by the contrast between the intensity outside and the sense of duty that brought us together inside. Luckily, we had great support from the fine officers of the Ogden City Police Department. Their professionalism ensured that, despite the protesters’ fervor, the event proceeded without incident. Their presence reminded me that in moments of public unrest, law and order remain a bedrock—allowing civic discourse to persist even amid deep division.

This was no isolated flare-up. Many of the protesters had been part of a similar confrontation days earlier at a town hall meeting in Salt Lake City with Representatives Celeste Maloy and Mike Kennedy. That town hall had marked a turning point—a signal that Utah was no longer insulated from the national unrest boiling over across the country.

PoliticIt Radio: Standing Tall at Timbermine

Salt Lake City: The Kennedy-Maloy Confrontation

On March 20, 2025, Representatives Maloy and Kennedy hosted a town hall at the University of Utah, hoping to engage with constituents during a tense political climate. Instead, they were met by a fired-up crowd—around 300 people, many associated with the growing 50501 movement, a grassroots opposition to President Trump’s administration, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and the sweeping Project 2025 agenda.

The atmosphere in the hall was electric and confrontational. Protesters interrupted frequently with cries of “Do your job!” and “Shame!” as Maloy and Kennedy attempted to explain recent budget cuts and the administration’s direction. “We are not going to get out of the situation we’re in financially without all of us feeling some pain,” Maloy said, attempting to justify the difficult decisions ahead. The crowd rejected her explanation, shouting her down. Kennedy fared no better.

This was more than political disagreement—it was fury, borne from the fear that jobs, civil services, and constitutional norms were under attack. That night, the same anger that had filled the University of Utah auditorium carried over into the streets of Ogden a few days later.

Who is 50501?

The 50501 Movement—short for “50 protests, 50 states, one day”—emerged in early 2025 as a self-described grassroots campaign aimed at resisting President Trump’s administration, particularly his second-term initiatives, including the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Project 2025. Born from Reddit and amplified by social media, the movement rapidly organized nationwide protests, including those in Utah, such as the demonstration outside the Weber County GOP Lincoln Day Luncheon.

While 50501 brands itself as grassroots, it operates with logistical support from a network of progressive organizations—Political Revolution, No Voice Unheard, Build The Resistance, and Voices of Florida—none of which disclose detailed funding sources. This has raised questions about whether government-affiliated NGOs or progressive donors are fueling the movement under the guise of grassroots activism. The professional quality of protest materials and national coordination has led many to question the authenticity of this so-called “people’s movement.”

Political Revolution is a progressive organization originally formed from supporters of Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. It focuses on grassroots mobilization, supporting left-leaning causes and political candidates through volunteer engagement and digital outreach.

No Voice Unheard is a group dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices in civic discourse, particularly those they believe are threatened by federal overreach. They provide protest resources, communication toolkits, and advocacy guides, and are listed as an official partner of the 50501 Movement.

Build The Resistance is a decentralized activist network that supplies training materials and protest planning tools. They emphasize nonviolent resistance, mutual aid, and community mobilization, and have played a role in organizing national protest days, including those under the 50501 banner.

Voices of Florida is a Black, queer, and woman-led 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that advocates for human rights and reproductive freedoms, primarily in Florida but with influence that has expanded through involvement in national protests like 50501.

Russian, Cuban, and North Korean Flags

A Familiar Face

Among the crowd outside, I recognized someone familiar—my Democratic opponent, Stacy Bernal. She was there in the thick of it, shouting alongside those who hurled insults and raised middle fingers in protest. It was disappointing, though perhaps not surprising, to see her among the shouting crowd. Her approach—rooted in confrontation rather than collaboration—doesn’t reflect the values of the people I represent. Utahns are hardworking, respectful, and solutions-oriented. They deserve leaders who engage with civility, not radical theatrics.

I’ve always respected the right of Utahns to speak out and engage in the political process, even when we disagree. That’s part of what makes our Republic strong. But there’s a difference between principled disagreement and the kind of divisive rhetoric we saw outside the Lincoln Day Luncheon—where some chose to scream “Eat the rich” and hurl insults instead of ideas.

Street Lined with Protestors

Inside Timbermine: Calm, Purpose, and Leadership

Inside the Timbermine, the tone was markedly different—grounded, reflective, and resolute. Congressman Blake Moore opened his remarks by addressing his role as co-chair of the DOGE Caucus. He acknowledged the valid concerns surrounding the treatment of temporary government workers and explained the recent adjustments made to personnel management—efforts aimed at ensuring that federal reform does not come at the expense of fairness or due process. Moore also fielded questions submitted by the audience, striking a balance between fiscal responsibility and humane governance.

Photos by Kevin Johnson Media

Representative Ken Ivory followed with an impassioned speech on federalism. He emphasized the importance of Utah’s sovereignty and detailed the ongoing work of the Utah Legislative Federalism Commission, which he described as critical to resisting federal overreach and empowering the state to chart its own path.

We also heard from first-time Representative Jill Koford, who highlighted her legislative efforts this session—offering a fresh voice and a reminder of the energy new leadership can bring to our state.

One of the most memorable moments came from our State School Board Representative, Joe Kerry. Having observed a North Korean flag among the protesters outside, Kerry reflected on his personal family history. His mother, a refugee from North Korea, had sacrificed everything for freedom. He said with conviction, “If my mother had been here, she would’ve taken off her shoe and said, ‘Joe, you are in charge of education in Utah. Why would those people not understand the horrors associated with that symbol?’” It was a sobering reminder that the freedoms we enjoy are fragile—and that some, sadly, fail to grasp the cost at which they were won.

A Nation on Edge

From the town halls in Salt Lake to the streets of Ogden, Utah had become a microcosm of a nation on edge. The 50501 movement, dismissed by some, had revealed something deeper: a public ready to hold elected officials accountable, unwilling to be passive in the face of sweeping change.

For those of us in public office, the lesson was clear. Policy crafted in Washington has a ripple effect, touching lives and stoking passions even in the heart of Utah. That day at Timbermine, amid the chants and jeers, I was reminded that governance in a republic demands not only courage, but attentiveness—to the Constitution, to the people, and to the balance between order and liberty.

And I was grateful, amid the noise and chaos, for the steady presence of the Ogden City Police, who allowed civic life to continue—even when voices rose and fingers pointed.

One of the important things I’ve learned in public service is this: we get a lot more done working together than we ever will through protest-fueled outrage. Utahns deserve leaders who bring people together, not tear them apart—leaders who know that real solutions come through collaboration, not confrontation.

The Republic endures. But only if we listen—and lead.

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