Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) has come under fire after he had a veteran removed from a town hall meeting after asking questions about ICE.
The Trump-supporting congressman, whose seat is considered at high risk in this year's midterms, appeared at the SUNY Rockland Community College's Cultural Arts Center, where 450 members of the public attended to ask questions. A cordoned-off area outside saw a further 100 people gather in a protest labeled "Vigil for Victims of ICE".
Lawler was asked for his thoughts on what his "line" was when it came to opposing Donald Trump's administration and the rise in ICE presence in states across the country. One person shouted, "Answer the f---ing question."
That person was removed from the audience after Lawler requested they were taken out of the venue, the local news website Lohud reported. Lawler said, "Hey, bro, you can leave now. Goodbye, goodbye."
The audience member was escorted out by a Rockland County sheriff's deputy as other members of the crowd chanted "let him stay." It has since been reported that the audience member escorted out of the building was a former US Navy veteran.
Nyack resident Emily Feiner, who previously made headlines after being carried out of a separate town hall meeting hosted by Lawler, has since commented on the incident.
Feiner, a retired social worker for the Veterans Administration, said, "Tonight (Lawler) had two U.S. veterans removed for demanding that he actually answer constituents' questions rather than grandstanding and gaslighting us.
"As a retired VA social worker this is shocking to me."
Lawler has since stated those removed from the venue during his town hall meeting were "removed for their conduct, not their questions."
Lawler made it clear he thought the deaths of both Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hand of ICE agents in Minneapolis were "tragic" instances, but added both situations were "preventable." The GOP rep has also said ICE agents should not be wearing masks.
