Photos show NY Republican in blackface as part of Michael Jackson Halloween costume

Photos taken of Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) while in college nearly 20 years ago show him wearing blackface as part of a Halloween costume portraying pop star Michael Jackson, The New York Times reported on Thursday.

The news outlet, which obtained the photos, reported he wore the costume during October 2006 while he was attending Manhattan College.

When reached by The Hill regarding the Times’ report, Lawler said in a statement that “When attempting to imitate Michael’s iconic...