Lawler town hall devolves into chaos

Rep. Mike Lawler's (R-N.Y.) town hall in his suburban swing district devolved into chaos Sunday evening as attendees lobbed boos and questions about President Trump before some were removed by law enforcement. 

Lawler’s office required attendees to RSVP and set up ground rules, including that they live in the lawmaker’s district, do not record the event, refrain from shouting or standing and be respectful of each other, staff and Lawler, The Associated Press reported.

Some Republican lawmakers have shifted away from hosting town hall events in their districts, as the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency and the actions from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been met with frustration from some voters, sparking fiery events. 

Lawler, who has floated the idea of running for New York governor, has sought to speak with voters and host town halls against advice from the Republican Party. 

Sunday’s event was his second recently, and more are scheduled in the future, the AP noted. 

It was unclear what caused the event to spiral, according to the news service, but at one point Lawler was responding to a question about Trump’s tariff plan when security and law enforcement surrounded a woman. The crowd chanted to “let her stay,” but she was picked up and carried out of the auditorium. 

According to video shared online by ABC News, the woman told security she was not leaving. Law enforcement later picked her up and the crowd erupted in boos. The woman held up a peace sign with her fingers. 

“This is antidemocratic!” one person shouted as the woman was carried out. 

The crowd then began chanting, “Shame! Shame! Shame!”

Lawler and his staff tried to rein in the crowd, but attendees drowned them out in the video clip, which ends with Lawler saying, “Folks, tariffs are way more complicated than you…” before it cuts off.

The Hill has reached out to Lawler’s office for comment.