News · Press Release

“SHAME!”: Mike Lawler Dodges Trump, Kicks Out Two Veterans As Constituents Erupt in Anger at Rockland Town Hall

New York Times: “Mike Lawler of New York, one of the most vulnerable Republicans in Congress, faced a raucous and sometimes hostile crowd at a town hall Sunday night in the Lower Hudson Valley.”
It was a rough night for Mike Lawler, whose Rockland town hall made one thing crystal clear: Hudson Valley voters are fed up with his cowardly inability to stand up to Donald Trump.

According to new reporting from The New York Times and LoHud, Lawler was met with boos, jeers, chants, and repeated demands that he explain where he draws the line and holds Trump accountable. Instead of answering, Lawler dodged questions with more of his signature politician doublespeak and had two U.S. veterans forcibly removed as frustrated voters pressed him on everything from rising health care costs to the Administration’s violation of civil liberties.

Lawler’s rowdy reception comes just weeks after Cook Political Report shifted its rating of NY-17 from “lean Republican” to “tossup” in the latest sign that Hudson Valley voters are ready to show Lawler the door.

DCCC Spokesperson Riya Vashi:
“It’s clear that New Yorkers have had enough of Mike Lawler’s Trump-first agenda. Instead of delivering for working families, Lawler is silencing voters and doubling down on the same failed policies that are driving costs up. NY-17 families deserve a representative who answers to voters — not to Donald Trump.”
  • Representative Mike Lawler of New York, one of the most vulnerable Republicans in Congress, faced a raucous and sometimes hostile crowd at a town hall Sunday night in the Lower Hudson Valley.
  • At one point, he paused the event for several minutes, after a young man interrupted and swore at him.
  • “Hey, bro, you can leave now,” Mr. Lawler said. “You want to act like that? Goodbye.” Uniformed officers escorted the man out as audience members chanted, “Let him stay!” and “Shame!”
  • The event, at Rockland Community College in Suffern, N.Y., came as Mr. Lawler, a two-term congressman, faces an arduous campaign for re-election in his swing district. 
  • Democrats consider the district, which Kamala Harris carried by less than a percentage point in 2024, a prime pickup opportunity in the coming midterm elections, which will decide the balance of power in Congress. In mid-January, the Cook Political Report shifted its rating of Mr. Lawler’s seat from “lean Republican” to “tossup.”
  • Since President Trump took office, Republican town halls in particular have often turned into chaotic gripe sessions. The outbursts have prompted G.O.P. leaders to advise their members to cease holding in-person gatherings over fears that heated confrontations with voters — over mass deportations, federal funding cuts and other issues — could undermine the party’s chances of keeping its razor-thin majority in the House.
  • But if that event were any guide, the gatherings are likely to illustrate the deep divisions in Mr. Lawler’s district and across the nation.
  • Jeers began early. After attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance, ending with “liberty and justice for all,” members of the crowd pointedly repeated the final words to Mr. Lawler. “For all!” they called out. “All!”
  • This was not Mr. Lawler’s first brush with a contentious gathering of constituents. Last year in West Nyack, Mr. Lawler was heckled over numerous concerns, including tax cuts and even the lighting in the room.
  • Days later in Somers, a woman who refused to leave another town hall after a back-and-forth with Mr. Lawler was forcibly removed, triggering roaring disapproval from the audience.

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