“Hot Mic” Mike Lawler Caught Questioning Latino Lawmaker’s Citizenship
For Immediate Release: February 19, 2025
“Hot Mic” Mike Lawler Caught Questioning Latino Lawmaker’s Citizenship
NEW YORK – In a meeting with the Westchester Board of Elections on Tuesday, Mike Lawler was caught questioning Westchester Legislator Jose Alvarado's citizenship. Lawler said to the lawmaker, “I don’t know. I assume you’re a citizen. Maybe you’re not. Maybe you are…” drawing audible gasps from the room.
Jose Alvarado has been a Westchester County legislator since 2001 and serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Elections that Lawler was meeting with.
This latest interaction adds to the growing list of Lawler’s disturbing pattern of racism and ignorance. In October, images surfaced of the Congressman in blackface while dressed as Michael Jackson in 2006 and defended blackface as “the sincerest form of flattery.” Additionally, while campaigning in 2024, Lawler refused to condemn racist slurs and language at his campaign events and in interviews.
Congresswoman Velazquez said: “Unbelievable. Questioning a Latino lawmaker’s citizenship? That’s not just ignorance—it’s straight-up xenophobia. Rep. Lawler must apologize.”
Read More:
NBC: Republican lawmaker questions citizenship status of Latino county official at public meeting
New York Daily News: Rep. Mike Lawler questions citizenship of Latino lawmaker
Daily Beast: MAGA Rep Questions Local Elected Official’s Citizenship
Newsweek: Republican Asks Latino Official if They Are US Citizen at Public Meeting
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