A disruption over the Trump administration’s cost-cutting efforts turned physical after protesters crashed an event in a red New York district, prompting a Republican lawmaker, Rep. Mike Lawler, to raise concerns over Democratic efforts to “organize protests” in GOP districts. Protesters disrupted a private luncheon hosted by the Rockland Business Association, targeting Lawler over Republican efforts to cut federal spending. A video showed protesters, who had bought tickets to the event, screaming and holding up signs. Lawler’s team pointed to comments by Sen. Chuck Schumer, where he said Democrats were sending people to Republican districts to oppose their policies.
Lawler’s communications director, Ciro Riccardi, criticized Schumer for inciting far-left activists to harass and intimidate Republican members of Congress. Riccardi described a recent disruption at a bipartisan Rockland Business Association luncheon in which provocateur Walter Masterson and other protesters assaulted multiple seniors while reading scripted remarks from their phones. Lawler reposted Schumer’s interview on social media, accusing the senator of coordinating with far-left activists and groups like Indivisible to organize protests. The protest in New York is one of several disruptions that occurred at congressional events that week.
The disruption at the Rockland Business Association event was captured on video where protesters chanted and held up signs criticizing Lawler, referring to him as “Lawless Lawler” and “Elon’s Puppet.” The protests turned physical as attendees tried to put an end to the disruption. Lawler’s team condemned the violence and pointed out Schumer’s comments about mobilizing Democrats to oppose Republicans in their districts. Schumer was unresponsive to Fox News Digital’s request for comment regarding the disruption and his involvement in organizing protests against Republican lawmakers.
The disruption at Lawler’s event is part of a larger trend of disruptions at congressional events this week. In Nebraska, Rep. Mike Flood’s town hall was also disrupted by protesters who heckled the congressman for over an hour. The incidents highlight the growing tensions between Republican and Democratic lawmakers, with protests and disruptions becoming more common. Lawler’s team, along with other Republican lawmakers, have expressed concern over the increasing hostility and violence at congressional events, pointing to the involvement of outside groups and activists in organizing disruptive protests in GOP districts.
The clashes between protesters and attendees at the Rockland Business Association luncheon illustrate the intense polarization and division within American politics. Schumer’s comments about mobilizing Democrats to oppose Republicans in their districts reflect the ongoing efforts to push back against the Trump administration’s policies and to hold Republican lawmakers accountable. The disruptions at congressional events are a sign of the growing unrest and discontent among voters, as tensions continue to rise between supporters of different political parties. Lawler and other GOP lawmakers are speaking out against the disruptions and violence, calling for civility and respectful dialogue in political discussions.
