Criticism from Democratic candidates and elected officials across New York and the Hudson Valley intensified Friday as President Donald Trump prepared to appear in Rockland County with Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y.
Trump’s visit comes ahead of a closely watched congressional race in New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is considered one of the nation’s key House battlegrounds and the only congressional district in New York currently rated a toss-up.
Supporters of Trump and Lawler have promoted the event as a major political moment for the region, while Democratic candidates and local leaders have criticized the visit and the policies tied to Trump’s administration.
The USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team contacted Rockland County legislators, state senators and other elected officials for comment. As of publication, only a handful had publicly responded or issued statements.
Gillibrand criticizes Trump ahead of Rockland visit
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand released a statement Thursday criticizing Trump’s appearance in Rockland County, arguing many New Yorkers are struggling financially.
“New Yorkers don’t need a rally; they need relief,” Gillibrand said.
Gillibrand accused Trump of raising costs for families, weakening health care access and prioritizing personal interests over working New Yorkers.
“It doesn’t matter what Trump says tomorrow,” Gillibrand said. “New Yorkers are suffering because of what he’s done to them and their families: higher costs, a gutted health care system, and a president more focused on his own bottom line than on the people he was elected to serve.”
Hudson Valley Democrats, activists speak out
Community members and advocacy organizations joined the Nyack NAACP on Thursday at the Thurgood Marshall Human Rights Monument in New City to condemn Trump’s planned appearance with Lawler.
Rockland County Legislator Dr. Dana Stilley criticized what she described as the “political hypocrisy” and “moral failures” surrounding the visit while residents face rising grocery and gas prices.
“Rockland will not be divided,” Stilley said. “We will never stop fighting for the humanity and dignity of all.”
The New York Connect Team also reached out to other Rockland County legislators. Rockland County Executive Ed Day declined to comment on the visit.
Effie Phillips-Staley, a Democrat competing in the June 23 primary for the chance to challenge Lawler in November, also criticized the visit in a statement Thursday.
“Gas prices are through the roof because of Trump’s illegal and unpopular war in Iran. Corruption is running rampant in D.C., millions of people are losing health insurance, and American citizens are getting shot in the streets by federal agents,” Phillips-Staley said.
She also accused Lawler of supporting the “Trump agenda” and blamed him for what she described as growing instability in Washington.
“Now he’s welcoming Trump here to Rockland while his constituents beg him to fight for them,” she said. “It’s going to be a rough November for Mike.”
Republicans welcome Trump to Rockland County
Local Republicans have promoted Trump’s visit online ahead of Friday’s event.
The Rockland County Republican Party shared event details on social media and encouraged supporters to attend.
State Sen. Bill Weber called the visit a historic moment for Rockland County.
“President Trump’s visit to Rockland County marks the first visit by a sitting U.S. president to Rockland in half a century,” Weber said in a statement.
Weber praised Trump’s economic policies and support for expanding the state and local tax deduction, commonly known as SALT.
Why Trump is visiting Rockland County
Trump is scheduled to appear Friday afternoon at the Eugene Levy Fieldhouse at Rockland Community College in Suffern.
The White House said the event will focus on affordability and federal tax cuts, including provisions from last year’s tax and spending package such as:
Lawler has made increasing the SALT deduction a central issue for suburban New York taxpayers.
The visit comes as New York’s 17th Congressional District remains one of the nation’s most competitive House battlegrounds ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
—Madison Scott is a New York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York state. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@USATodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Reactions build ahead of Trump visit to Rockland County
Reporting by Madison Scott, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
