Trump takes aim at Hochul and Jeffries at Lawler campaign event

Striving to appeal to voters in one of the most competitive House races in the country, President Donald Trump on Friday campaigned for Rep. Mike Lawler in Rockland County – taking aim at top House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Gov. Kathy Hochul a day after the state Legislature passed sweeping reforms to restrict local officials from assisting federal immigration agents.

Trump took the stage at Rockland County Community College to stump for Lawler as he faces a tough reelection bid this November. “He’s a pain in the ass, you’re lucky to have him,” Trump said of Lawler to a screaming crowd of at least 1,500 people.

At least four protesters disrupted the president at different times throughout his nearly 90-minute speech and were escorted out by police. Trump’s visit marked the first time a sitting president had visited Rockland County for a public event since President Gerald Ford hit a campaign stop at the county courthouse in 1976, Lawler told the crowd before Trump arrived.

The Hudson Valley congressional representative defended Trump’s visit to reporters before the event. “Having the president of the United States come to your district is a wonderful opportunity for the community, no matter who the president is, just like when Joe Biden showed up three years ago, I was there,” Lawler said. “And when Donald Trump’s coming, I’m here.”

Lawler recounted intense negotiations between himself, Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson to lift the State And Local Tax, or SALT, deduction cap last year. Lawler threatened to torpedo Trump’s landmark tax and spending plan, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. And he said Trump replied, “Give Lawler all the salt he wants.” In the end, the cap was raised from $10,000 to $40,000 for single and joint filers.

Lawler’s tale showed how his strategy impressed the president, who has seemingly deepened his respect he has for the incumbent House Republican. Trump has endorsed Lawler for a third term and repeatedly posted about the race on his social media site Truth Social.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who’s running against Hochul with Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood, also stumped for Lawler and sang his praises to potential voters. 

Blakeman and Trump met in the Oval Office two weeks ago to discuss a range of topics, including New York elections and the state’s high utility costs. “Tell those New Yorkers we need to drill, baby, drill.” Blakeman recalled Trump telling him during the visit. Trump has asked Hochul to lift the state’s gas fracking ban, but she has so far refused.

On Friday, Trump railed against the immigration reforms included in this year’s state budget, which he said obstructs federal immigration enforcement. 

“Bruce, hopefully you’ll get that unpassed very quickly,” the president said, later adding he’s going to work with Blakeman because he’s going to win. “Bruce, you’re going to be the next governor, I’m telling you right now,” he said. He later posed a warning to Hochul. “You better watch yourself, Kathy,” Trump said. “You’ve got a big race.”

Hochul later responded to the president’s threat on social media. “I won’t be intimidated by Trump – or any spineless MAGA coward like my opponent Bruce Blakeman,” her office posted on X. “While they’re busy screwing over New Yorkers, I’m fighting like hell to lower costs and protect New Yorkers from his attacks. Game on.”

Earlier in his speech, Trump said Jeffries inspired him to coin the word “Dumacrat,” a portmanteau of “Democrat” and “dumb.”“He’s a very low-IQ person,” Trump said of Jeffries, who has led national Democrats in a redistricting war against Republicans. “Very low IQ.”