Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) stirred an online outcry on Thursday after he came out to slam the closure of a Social Security office in his district – a move that critics pointed out came as part of the Trump administration’s DOGE-led efforts that the lawmaker has been in lockstep with.
“The decision to close the only Social Security Hearing Office in the Hudson Valley is a slap in the face to thousands of my constituents who rely on these services,” Lawler proclaimed in a social media post. “Concerns about mold don’t justify abandoning folks in the Lower Hudson Valley.”
He later followed that statement up with a second post throwing blame on President Joe Biden.
“To resolve any confusion, this was an action initiated by the Biden admin,” Lawler told his followers.
But social media users quickly called out the New York lawmaker's outrage over the closure of the White Plains, New York, office – one of several Social Security Administration offices across the country expected to close this year as part of DOGE’s efforts to revamp the federal government.
“Rep. Lawler has been cheering on DOGE's wilding spree and now his constituents are paying the price,” journalist Josh Marshall wrote on Bluesky.
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It's different when it hits YOUR CONSTITUENTS isn't it, Mike?” bestselling author Don Winslow wrote in an X post. “You feel it now, don't you? You're getting the calls and complaints now, aren't you? But you f----- your constituents when you supported Donald Trump and this is just the beginning of hell.”
“Mike Lawler is a typical Republican - bends the knee to Trump and then whines about policies from a ‘king’ he supports,” media consultant Paul Jacobs told his social media followers. “All while trying to appear as a ‘moderate Republican’ (whatever that is these days). It's time to hold him and all Republicans accountable for their actions.”
Jen Goodman, a communications aide for Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY), wrote on X: “Elon pumped millions into Lawler's campaign, Lawler has stood by, saying DOGE's efforts are ‘necessary,’ and now he's pretending to care but too weak and ineffective to actually make a difference. Lawler owns this.”
“I swear this man has gotta be a character in ‘Severance’ because GOP Congressman Mike Lawler who's shocked at what's happening to his constituents appears to have no idea what GOP Congressman Mike Lawler in D.C. is supporting,” activist and veteran Charlotte Clymer told her followers on Bluesky.
