Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) came under intense fire on social media Thursday after condemning the closure of a Social Security office in his district—despite his support for the Trump administration’s government overhaul efforts that directly led to the move.
Lawler expressed anger over the planned shutdown of the White Plains Social Security Hearing Office, the only one serving New York’s Lower Hudson Valley. “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 posted on social media.
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“Concerns about mold don’t justify abandoning folks in the Lower Hudson Valley.” However, critics were quick to highlight that the closure is part of broader cuts led by Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a program Lawler has consistently supported. Attempting to deflect blame, the congressman later shifted responsibility to President Biden.
“To resolve any confusion, this was an action initiated by the Biden admin,” he wrote in a follow-up post. That explanation did little to quiet the growing criticism. “Rep. Lawler has been cheering on DOGE’s wilding spree and now his constituents are paying the price,” journalist Josh Marshall posted on Bluesky.
Bestselling author Don Winslow didn’t hold back either: “It’s different when it hits YOUR CONSTITUENTS isn’t it, Mike? 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.”
Media consultant Paul Jacobs added: “Mike Lawler is a typical Republican—bends the knee to Trump and then whines about policies from a ‘king’ he supports.” Others questioned Lawler’s credibility as a so-called moderate.
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“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,” wrote Jen Goodman, a communications aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Activist and veteran Charlotte Clymer compared the congressman to a fictional character lost in a dual identity. “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.” The White Plains closure is one of several DOGE-backed cuts facing pushback nationwide.
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