The national conversation surrounding President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders made its way to Trumbull County this weekend, as residents participated in two contrasting events just hours apart.

Saturday morning, the Trumbull County Republican Party hosted its monthly “Coffee at the Clubhouse” in Howland, bringing together party members, elected officials, and community residents to discuss the political direction of the country.

Many attendees voiced strong support for Trump and his use of executive authority. One attendee, Byron Shutt, described the current political climate as a deeper cultural conflict.

“There’s a battle going on here, and it is a spiritual battle, plain and simple,” he said. “Whether they like Trump or not doesn’t matter—the questions he brings up are legitimate, and they need to be talked about.”

Angie Yale, who helps coordinate events for the local party, expressed optimism about the energy within the Republican base.

“I feel we’ve made a prominent stance in a short time,” she said. “It’s a lot stronger, and I think it will get stronger as the years progress. I think it’ll draw more people in.”

Meanwhile, just a few miles away and a few hours later, a different message emerged. Protestors gathered outside the Federal Courthouse in Youngstown as part of the “Protest for Democracy,” organized by the Mayday Coalition Project.

Retired U.S. Army Reserve veteran Malcolm Ritchie, who served three tours in Iraq and is now a Democratic congressional candidate, expressed alarm over the president’s actions. “President Donald Trump has assumed dictatorial powers,” Ritchie said. “He is ignoring many of the Bill of Rights... My veteran disability benefits have already been cut by 30%.”

Ritchie also criticized Trump’s appointment of Elon Musk to a government efficiency department, calling it unconstitutional and dangerous to federal programs like Medicare and Veterans Affairs.

Katelyn Desko, another protestor who described herself as politically independent, said she attended the protest out of deep concern for the country’s direction.

“What’s happening right now is disastrous for our country. It’s authoritarian,” she said. “We need to grow our connectors and create community.”

The contrasting events reflected a larger national divide playing out in communities across the country, as both sides in Trumbull County seek to have their voices heard.