Mike Lawler Faces Criticism for Blackface Use; Refuses to Denounce Racist Rhetoric on Two Occasions.
A New York Republican is grappling with challenges related to racism as they navigate a challenging reelection campaign.
TroibNews 
NEW YORK — Rep. Mike Lawler has, at least twice in the past month, missed or avoided opportunities to condemn racist language in public forums, according to PMG, following a New York Times report about his past use of blackface in college.
Three weeks ago, at a forum focused on combating antisemitism in a location north of New York City, Lawler spoke shortly after a participant used a racial slur for Black individuals, but he did not address the derogatory term, as noted in audio reviewed by PMG.
Last week, during an interview with far-right talk radio host Sid Rosenberg, Lawler shifted to another topic when Rosenberg claimed that Islamophobia and white supremacy do not exist, but that Black supremacy does.
Although neither incident shows Lawler using racist language himself, they highlight his reactions in situations where such sentiments are expressed without challenge. His conduct gained further scrutiny on Thursday when the Times published a nearly 20-year-old photo of Lawler dressed as Michael Jackson with his skin darkened by makeup—a choice reminiscent of racist minstrel shows that have embroiled other public figures in controversy.
Lawler told the Times that blackface was the “furthest thing” from his mind and apologized to anyone offended by the photo. He later informed CNN that his costume was intended as an homage to Jackson.
Amidst a tight reelection fight in New York’s Hudson Valley against former Rep. Mondaire Jones, a Black Democrat, Lawler’s race could significantly influence the balance of power in Congress.
As a political moderate in a swing district, Lawler has faced challenges stemming from Donald Trump’s conduct and rhetoric, occasionally standing against his party’s leader. For instance, he called on GOP colleagues to stop spreading unfounded rumors about Haitian migrants allegedly eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
During the Sept. 13 roundtable in Chappaqua, a participant claimed that antisemitism is unchecked on college campuses, suggesting that if “a bunch of white boys wanted to start a Klan membership at Columbia University, set up chants and started chanting, 'Lynch the …,” it would not be allowed for more than 30 seconds. Following a female participant's apparent agreement, Lawler recounted his visit to Columbia, which had pro-Palestinian encampments.
In a more recent appearance on the talk radio show “Sid & Friends in the Morning,” Rosenberg argued, “It’s kind of like Islamophobia, it’s nice to say, but it does not exist. They want to kill Jews, not Muslims. It’s kind of like white supremacy, it doesn’t exist. Blacks, yes, but not white supremacy.” Lawler chose not to confront Rosenberg over his remarks, instead focusing on his proposal to give presidential candidates the same Secret Service protection as sitting presidents.
Lawler’s campaign responded by highlighting racially charged comments made by Jones, his Democratic rival. Jones has accused the GOP of “white supremacist politics” and referred to ICE as a “racist institution” in 2021.
“Let me get this straight: PMG wants our campaign to answer for inappropriate things other people said in Congressman Lawler’s presence, but it is simultaneously unwilling to cover and analyze the dozens of instances where Mondaire Jones himself has personally used racially divisive, slanderous, and hyperbolic rhetoric to attack police, border patrol agents, and people with whom he has political differences?” questioned Lawler's campaign spokesperson Chris Russell. “Thanks, but we’ll pass.”
A version of this story first appeared Friday in New York Playbook. Subscribe here.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
Three weeks ago, at a forum focused on combating antisemitism in a location north of New York City, Lawler spoke shortly after a participant used a racial slur for Black individuals, but he did not address the derogatory term, as noted in audio reviewed by PMG.
Last week, during an interview with far-right talk radio host Sid Rosenberg, Lawler shifted to another topic when Rosenberg claimed that Islamophobia and white supremacy do not exist, but that Black supremacy does.
Although neither incident shows Lawler using racist language himself, they highlight his reactions in situations where such sentiments are expressed without challenge. His conduct gained further scrutiny on Thursday when the Times published a nearly 20-year-old photo of Lawler dressed as Michael Jackson with his skin darkened by makeup—a choice reminiscent of racist minstrel shows that have embroiled other public figures in controversy.
Lawler told the Times that blackface was the “furthest thing” from his mind and apologized to anyone offended by the photo. He later informed CNN that his costume was intended as an homage to Jackson.
Amidst a tight reelection fight in New York’s Hudson Valley against former Rep. Mondaire Jones, a Black Democrat, Lawler’s race could significantly influence the balance of power in Congress.
As a political moderate in a swing district, Lawler has faced challenges stemming from Donald Trump’s conduct and rhetoric, occasionally standing against his party’s leader. For instance, he called on GOP colleagues to stop spreading unfounded rumors about Haitian migrants allegedly eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
During the Sept. 13 roundtable in Chappaqua, a participant claimed that antisemitism is unchecked on college campuses, suggesting that if “a bunch of white boys wanted to start a Klan membership at Columbia University, set up chants and started chanting, 'Lynch the …,” it would not be allowed for more than 30 seconds. Following a female participant's apparent agreement, Lawler recounted his visit to Columbia, which had pro-Palestinian encampments.
In a more recent appearance on the talk radio show “Sid & Friends in the Morning,” Rosenberg argued, “It’s kind of like Islamophobia, it’s nice to say, but it does not exist. They want to kill Jews, not Muslims. It’s kind of like white supremacy, it doesn’t exist. Blacks, yes, but not white supremacy.” Lawler chose not to confront Rosenberg over his remarks, instead focusing on his proposal to give presidential candidates the same Secret Service protection as sitting presidents.
Lawler’s campaign responded by highlighting racially charged comments made by Jones, his Democratic rival. Jones has accused the GOP of “white supremacist politics” and referred to ICE as a “racist institution” in 2021.
“Let me get this straight: PMG wants our campaign to answer for inappropriate things other people said in Congressman Lawler’s presence, but it is simultaneously unwilling to cover and analyze the dozens of instances where Mondaire Jones himself has personally used racially divisive, slanderous, and hyperbolic rhetoric to attack police, border patrol agents, and people with whom he has political differences?” questioned Lawler's campaign spokesperson Chris Russell. “Thanks, but we’ll pass.”
A version of this story first appeared Friday in New York Playbook. Subscribe here.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
