Voters grill Mike Lawler on Trump's policies at chaotic town hall

On May 4, 2025, U.S. Representative Mike Lawler hosted a town hall meeting at a Catholic high school in Somers, New York. The event attracted a large crowd from his suburban district, where constituents expressed frustration over Lawler's moderate political stances and his perceived failure to address critical issues such as the aggressive policies of former President Donald Trump. The atmosphere quickly became tense, with Lawler's remarks met with laughter and jeers, indicating discontent among attendees. As the session unfolded, several participants disrupted the proceedings, leading to law enforcement involvement and the removal of multiple individuals from the venue. The unrest included chants from the audience urging that one woman be allowed to stay in her seat, indicating their displeasure with Lawler's handling of the situation. These reactions came as Lawler attempted to steer the discussion towards complex topics like tariffs, which the crowd found unsatisfactory. The loud boos and demands for respect highlighted a significant disconnect between Lawler's responses and the constituents' concerns. Many voters expressed their dissatisfaction, feeling that their issues were not being adequately addressed. As the event progressed, comments from attendees showed a clear desire for answers regarding pressing social issues like Social Security and Medicaid, which many felt were not represented in the discussion. Jeanette Spoor, a 74-year-old retiree, voiced her frustrations at not being granted an opportunity to ask about these critical programs. Her disillusionment echoed a broader sentiment within the audience, many of whom questioned Lawler's commitment to effective representation. After the meeting, on May 5, 2025, protests were organized outside the school by about 80 demonstrators led by Democratic Rockland County legislator Beth Davidson, who is campaigning against Lawler. The protests underscored the deepening political divide in the region, as residents sought to hold Lawler accountable for his positions and actions. The town hall event, which was supposed to facilitate open dialogue, ended up highlighting the growing tension between constituents and their representative, suggesting that Lawler may face significant political challenges moving forward.