Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) told President Donald Trump he should be in New York City to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack.
Lawler, a Trump-endorsed moderatewhose seat is threatened in the November midterms, made this claim Wednesday after MS NOW host Peter Alexander asked if the president's decision left him "disappointed."
Rather than answer, Lawler pivoted to respond to a New York Times report that Trump opted out of the ceremony because he would not be allowed to speak. While the White House pushed back on the story, the Times stands by it.
“No elected official has ever spoken at the Ground Zero ceremonies —" Lawler started.
"But should he attend?" asked Alexander.
"I know the president will be speaking at the Pentagon and attending the ceremony there,” Lawler protested. “He was at Ground Zero last year.”
Then, unprompted by Alexander, Lawler admitted, “I do think he should be in New York."
"I did express that to the White House," he said. "I do think it is important, but ultimately he will be going to the Pentagon.”
“Understood,” Alexander replied before pressing, “What message does it send, though, to those 9/11 families, including from the district that you represent, that the president will not be at Ground Zero, the heart of that awful day?”
“Well, look, he is going to be at the Pentagon,” the GOP lawmaker protested again. “Obviously, we lost lives there as well. And I know the vice president —”
“But you’re a New Yorker,” Alexander interrupted. "You know that 9/11 is something we honor each year."