Trump to visit N.Y. Friday for campaign visit with Rep. Mike Lawler
by Lisa Hornung · UPIMay 22 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump will visit Rockland County, N.Y., Friday alongside Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., in his swing-district in the Hudson Valley.
The White House said Trump will speak at Rockland Community College about his economic agenda and efforts to lower costs for working families, while contrasting his tax policies with those of Democrats.
Lawler represents New York's 17th district, which voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. He is one of only nine House Republicans in a district that chose Harris, according to Ballotpedia.
Critics are speaking out against the visit, with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee calling Lawler a "lapdog."
"Nothing says 'I don't care about my district' quite like Mike Lawler bringing Donald Trump to NY-17 to tout a disastrous economy that's crushing working families at every turn," said Riya Vashi, DCCC spokesperson, in a statement. "From skyrocketing gas and groceries to unaffordable housing and health care, Lawler bearhugging the unpopular architect of this economic disaster in his own district is just the latest reminder for Hudson Valley voters that their so-called 'representative' will always put Donald Trump first, and they sure as hell won't forget it come November."
The planned focus of the event will likely be changes to the state and local tax deduction, known as SALT, as well as the rise of the cap of Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which had capped the deduction at $10,000, but was raised to $40,000. Lawler was a key negotiator in the change.
Beth Davidson, who is running in the Democratic primary for the district, questioned the motives of the visit on X.
"What is Mike Lawler bringing Trump to Rockland to sell us? His illegal war? $5 gas prices? ICE terrorizing our neighbors? The SNAP and Medicaid cuts about to devastate our communities? Or is this just another round in Mike's undersecretary interview?" she said.
Cait Conley, a Democrat also running in the primary, asked Lawler on X Thursday if campaigning with Trump is a good idea.
"Why should taxpayers pay $1.7 billion to compensate January 6th criminals? @DonaldTrump is paying people that attacked our capitol, attacked brave police officers, and threatened the foundation of our democracy. @lawler4ny -- you really want to campaign with this guy tomorrow?"
But New York Republican strategist Chapin Fay said the visit can help.
"There's always a risk with the president coming," The Hill reported Fay said. "But the calculation for someone like Rep. Lawler is that they're already calling him a MAGA person. That's their whole strategy," apparently speaking of Lawler's opponents and the media. "They're already tagging you with this, so go get the benefits," he said.
The most recent New York Times/Siena University poll released this week showed Trump's approval rating at a new low of 37%. And earlier Friday, the University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers said American consumer sentiment hit a new historical low in May as gas prices have surged due to the war with Iran.
Republicans are still expressing optimism.
"Bringing attention to massive tax relief the president and Republicans in Congress delivered is a winner," said Alex Pfeiffer, a GOP operative, The Hill reported.
White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said Trump is the party's "best messenger and motivator," in a statement to The Hill.
"In the months ahead, President Trump will continue fighting to lower costs for working families while traveling across the country to highlight his accomplishments alongside Republicans in Congress," Wales said.
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Kevin Warsh takes the oath of office as he is sworn-in as the new chairman of the Federal Reserve by Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas in the East Room of the White House on Friday. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo