BEDMINSTER – There are Republicans and there is MAGA. And they are not always the same.

That phenomenon was clearly visible last week when the Republican township committee in Donald Trump’s sometimes hometown was confronted by a group of MAGA supporters annoyed at a parking ban that could impact pro-Trump rallies.

Things briefly escalated out of control when a man was told to leave the meeting room after allegedly making an anti-Asian remark. A bit later, Committeeman Douglas Stevinson compared what he had witnessed to “kindergarten behavior.”

Here’s the background.

Dating back to the start of Trump’s presidency, demonstrators for and against him have held rallies on a plot of land at the intersection of Route 206 and Lamington Road. The rally spot is near the town library and about four miles from Trump’s golf course. While the land is not public space – it is owned by AT&T – that has not stopped the rallies.

The pattern for pro-Trump rallies is for supporters to congregate at the corner, wave flags at passing traffic and sometimes listen to pro-Trump and patriotic songs.

Library parking is reserved for patrons and there is no parking on Lamington Road. So, many of those attending these rallies park along Clucas Brook Road, which runs off of Lamington and in front of the library.

No more.

An ordinance adopted last week bans parking on Clucas Brook Road.

Mayor Lawrence Jacobs said the idea is to promote safety, reduce traffic and perhaps most important, give residents some peace and quiet.

The group of Trump supporters at the meeting saw things differently. They said the ban would adversely impact their rallies and thus, is an affront to freedom of speech.

“There seems to be an angst about people expressing their opinion publicly,” said Gregort Dooner. He said he journeys to Bedminster from Waretown in Ocean County to support “my president.”

Terry Beck of Hillsborough said pro-Trump rallies have been conducted at the spot for years and that parking on the street in question has never caused problems.

As is often the case with things like this, some comments were a bit impolite.

One critic called committee members “morons.”

Another said that if a parking ban goes into effect, the rallies will be taken elsewhere. He spoke of supporters with Trump flags on their cars driving around town and perhaps, in front of the homes of committee members.

Amid all this, Andy Chang, who lives in the neighborhood, said he supports the parking ban. He noted that cars parked along the road make access to the library – especially by children on bikes – difficult.
As Chang finished speaking, an agitated Stevinson said he heard a man in the audience tell Chang to “Go back to China.”

Committeeman Stevinson said he would not stand for a town resident being insulted in that manner. A brief shouting match between him and two audience members then ensued.

Things calmed down and the committee unanimously approved the ban.

The mayor said the committee must put the interests of Bedminster residents first. It was also pointed out that the parking ban in itself does not prevent people from either side from holding rallies.

What happens with rallies in Bedminster is relevant in light of a planned Sept. 5 fundraiser at Trump National to benefit Jan. 6 defendants.

There has been talk circulating of a rally protesting that event, but how that may happen in light of the new parking restrictions remains to be seen.