President Donald Trump visited Rockland County on Friday alongside Congressman Mike Lawler, marking the first public visit by a sitting president to Rockland County in nearly 50 years. The event was held at Rockland Community College Eugene Levy Fieldhouse and drew thousands of supporters from across the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas.

During the event, President Trump delivered remarks focused on affordability, tax relief, and economic opportunities for working families throughout New York’s Hudson Valley. Congressman Lawler highlighted his efforts in Washington, particularly his role in expanding the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 as part of last year’s federal tax package.

“It was an honor to welcome President Trump to the Hudson Valley today,” Lawler said. “I made a promise that I would not support a tax package that left New Yorkers behind, and I fought every step of the way to deliver real relief.”

President Trump praised Lawler’s leadership on the SALT deduction issue, saying the expanded cap provides significant financial relief to middle-class families, homeowners, seniors, and small businesses across New York’s 17th Congressional District.

Lawler also pointed to tens of millions of dollars secured for community projects throughout the Hudson Valley, including funding for law enforcement, infrastructure, healthcare, and clean drinking water initiatives.

One of the most emotional moments of the event came when President Trump announced that Nyack native Welles Crowther will posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Crowther became nationally known as “The Man in the Red Bandana” for helping save numerous lives inside the South Tower during the September 11th attacks before sacrificing his own life.

“As we are approaching the 25th anniversary of September 11th, 2001, we are posthumously awarding Welles the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” President Trump said during his remarks. “He saved those people and became a legend.”

The family of Sheridan Gorman was also recognized during the event. Sheridan Gorman was tragically killed earlier this year in Chicago in a case that has drawn national attention. Her parents addressed the crowd and spoke emotionally about the devastating loss of their daughter and concerns surrounding immigration and public safety policies.