House Speaker Mike Johnson touts support for law enforcement in Broome County visit

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson joined Rep. Marc Molinaro and Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar at the Broome County Sheriff's Office Thursday afternoon.

Johnson and Molinaro, both Republicans, praised law enforcement agents in brief addresses to agents and their families.

“When's the last time we've had a Speaker of the House in Binghamton?" Molinaro said in a statement. "This community has been overlooked by Albany and Washington, and every day in Congress, I'm fighting to raise our voice up."

Protest in downtown Binghamton greets Johnson's visit

Just before arriving at the Sheriff's Office, Molinaro and Johnson were at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Binghamton as New York Republicans gathered for the 2024 Republican State Nominating Convention. Mike Sapraicone of Nassau County received approximately 80% of the weighted vote and was selected as the party’s designee.

Outside the hotel, dozens of protesters from local community groups rallied against Johnson and Molinaro.

According to Ravo Root, community organizer for Citizen Action of New York, many protesters raised concerns about Molinaro's welcoming of Johnson, whose policies and comments they say are dangerous and should not be tolerated.

Together for Ukraine, meanwhile, conducted a "Pray for Ukraine" demonstration during Johnson's visit urging the Speaker to bring the Ukraine Supplemental Funding bill to the floor of the House for a vote.

"We are not demonstrating to shame, humiliate, or alienate him," the group said ahead of Johnson's visit. "Speaker Mike Johnson is a deeply religious man who is strongly opposed to human trafficking and the abuse of Christians abroad. Reminding him of Russia’s forced relocation of thousands of Ukrainian children and record of torturing Christians in occupied territories may give Speaker Johnson the courage to bring the vote to the floor."

Johnson meets with law enforcement in Broome County visit

After arriving to a warm welcome at the Sheriff's office, Johnson and Molinaro were met by Akshar, and the three gave brief comments thanking law enforcement agents for their work. Afterwards, Johnson and Molinaro shook hands around the room, and departed.

Johnson said that law enforcement is not only a crucial part of society, but a responsibility outlined in the Bible, calling law enforcement "God's agents of wrath."

"It is more than an occupation," said Johnson. "The rule of law is one of the foundations of America, and it is being undermined. It is our great pleasure to be with you and support you in any way we can."

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According to Molinaro, law enforcement officers and their families make sacrifices to keep communities safe.

"We truly believe and hope that no matter what that call is, you come home to a family that loves you and a community that supports you," said Molinaro.

"Seeing is believing," Molinaro added in a statement. "I invited the Speaker here to hear about the issues important to this community like public safety and funding for law enforcement. Upstate New York’s issues must be heard and addressed at the highest levels of government.”

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: House Speaker Mike Johnson's Binghamton visit draws protests, support