Rep. Mike Lawler Calls Tucker Carlson 'A Moron' After Claim That Pro‑Israel Lawmakers Back 'Open Borders'

Representative Mike Lawler (R‑NY) sharply rebuked former Fox News host Tucker Carlson after a clip of a recent monologue circulated on X in which Carlson suggested strong pro‑Israel Republicans favor open‑border policies.

What Tucker Carlson Said

"The most fervent supporters of the state of Israel in the House of Representatives, almost to a person, are the same people who voted for this [extending Temporary Protected Status to certain Haitian migrants]... These are Israel’s most loyal soldiers in the United States Congress, and they are voting to open our borders once again... There is a direct connection between loyalty to a foreign power and a desire to hurt this country. You cannot be loyal to two masters at once."

Lawler's Response

Lawler strongly rejected Carlson’s characterization. In a quote‑tweet responding to the clip, he wrote: "Tucker Carlson is a moron." He criticized what he called the repetitive and misleading rhetoric of Carlson and others and denied the implication that his support for Israel is linked to an open‑borders agenda.

To rebut Carlson’s claim, Lawler summarized his immigration positions and voting record, saying he supports:

• Shutting down the border permanently to end illegal entry
• Funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Banning sanctuary cities
• Requiring proof of citizenship to vote
• Deporting criminal noncitizens
• Opposing a pathway to citizenship for people who entered the country illegally and ending government benefits for undocumented immigrants

Addressing Israel directly, Lawler wrote that he supports a strong U.S.‑Israel relationship and the Judeo‑Christian values he said undergird American society. He described Israel as "the only democracy in the Middle East" and said Carlson appeared to have shifted his views: "something Tucker used to believe until he was bought and paid for by forces opposed to Israel and the United States."

Broader Context

The exchange comes amid broader controversies surrounding Carlson and a public spat with former President Donald Trump, who has called Carlson "a Low IQ person – Always easy to beat, and highly overrated." The clip of Carlson’s monologue circulated widely on X and prompted swift reactions from lawmakers named in the segment.

What began as a segment on Carlson’s show has escalated into a public dispute between a sitting member of Congress and a high‑profile media figure, raising questions about rhetoric, political allegiance and the boundaries of criticism when discussing immigration and foreign policy loyalties.

Note: The clip circulated on X and the story was reported by Mediaite.