What was supposed to be an informative and engaging luncheon with community leaders in New York’s Hudson Valley was marred by violence and protests.  

Republican Congressman Mike Lawler was hosting an event with the Rockland Business Association when left-wing protesters brought it to a halt.  

The protesters called the Congressman “Elon’s Puppet” and criticized recent moves by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 

Fox News reports, “The disruption quickly turned physical as the protesters wrestled with the event attendees, who were trying to put an end to the disruption.”  

This episode came soon after Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer announced in a PBS interview: “We are mobilizing in New York. We have people going to the Republican districts and going after these Republicans who are voting for this and forcing them to either change their vote or face the consequences.”  

As a spokesman for Rep. Lawler put it: “[The protesters] assaulted multiple seniors in the process of reading from scripted remarks on their phones. Are these the kinds of ‘consequences’ Schumer is endorsing?” 

That’s an important question.  

At a time when violent threats against members of Congress are on the rise, it’s vital that leaders are clear about what is and isn’t acceptable. An easy red line is this: every decent person should reject political violence of any kind. 

Sen. Schumer should know this better than anyone, considering he just had to postpone a book tour due to security concerns in the wake of his vote for legislation that averted a government shutdown. 

Congressman Lawler makes for an odd target for the protesters’ rage.  

Rep. Lawler is a reliable voice for common sense in Washington, and he is the 4th most bipartisan member of the House, according to the Lugar Center.  

Rep. Lawler hasn’t hesitated to criticize elements of Elon Musk’s DOGE effort, as he recently tore into the decision to close the only Social Security Hearing Office in his district.  

Instead, he has taken a measured approach to DOGE overall, saying, “Congress will have an important role… There are things they’re doing that I think are beneficial. There are other things where I think they’re going very fast, and they need to dot their i’s and cross their t’s before pulling the trigger.”  

No Labels always has and always will be a vigorous supporter of free speech and free expression. In fact, one of our enduring values is that we are lucky to live in a country where we can openly disagree with other people.  

But once violence of any kind is involved, the line is crossed. We must all call it out whenever we see it, no matter which “side” it comes from.