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March 4, 2017, 1:16 p.m.

Rep. Steve Knight (R-Lancaster) got an earful from his constituents at anearly morning town hall meeting in Palmdaleon Saturday that drew an at-capacity crowd of nearly 300 with dozens more protesting outside.

Though Knight ultimately wasescorted to his car by severalLos AngelesCounty sheriffs deputies as protesters booed him, the question-and-answer session remained relatively civil, if a bit raucous.

Knight drewa mixed reaction from the crowd.Local Democratic clubs from Simi Valley, Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley were at the event, and many in the crowd sportedpink caps andso-called " pussyhats " made popular during the Women's March earlier this year.

Some in the crowd carried signs supporting the Affordable Care Act,a popular topic during the meeting. Knight saidparts of the act were working and praised California's healthcaremarketplace, Covered California,calling it one of the better run exchanges in the nation.

He was jeeredwhen he said that Obamacare'sban on lifetime spending caps on medical coverage could be done away with.

"Some lifetime caps might stay in place but most would not," he said to loud boos.

Knight, who represents a potential swing district and has been targeted by national Democrats, also tried to differentiate himself from President Trump's administration, withmixed results.

He earned his loudest cheers when he said thatTrump should release his tax returns, something Democrats demanded during the election.

When asked about what intelligent agencies have said wasRussian interferencein the election, Knight again drew applause when he said that Trump's administration should not be involved in an FBI investigation.

But he was booed when he said he would look at transcripts of comments made by U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions during his confirmation hearing when Sessionssaid that he did not have communications with "the Russians"so Knight could understand "in context" what Sessions said. Sessions came under fire from members of Congress last week after reports that he had failed to disclose meetings with the Russian ambassador to the U.S.

Knight's office required the town hall attendees to show identification to prove they lived in his district, something that riled some Democrats.

Shari Freedman, a purchasing agent for a print manufacturer in Simi Valley, wore a piece of paper with her ZIP code around her neck in protest of the ID requirement. She was also upset the town hall was held at 8:30 a.m. in Palmdale, a 60 mile drive from where she lives.

"We are constituents, not paid protesters," she said.

Knight's district is almost evenly split between registered Democrats and Republicans, while about a fifth of voters list themselves as "no party preference." National Democrats have targeted Knight's seat as one they want to flip blue in 2018.

Outside the town hall, protesters chanted "last term" as Knight walked to his car.

Shawnee Badger, a 23-year-old actress from Valencia, was among those protesting.

"He is an extreme conservative," she said. "He doesn't represent our district's values."

Knight did bring out some supporters including Donna Basail of Agua Dulce. She said she appreciated that Knight came out and took questions from the crowd even if many were protesting.

"He is our representative, he needs to listen to the people regardless of what they say," she said.

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Republican Rep. Steve Knight met with protesters and boos during raucous town hall in Palmdale - Los Angeles Times