'That's your favorite word': Internet mocks Lindsey Graham as he promises 'war' on NY over proposed Chick-fil-A bill

ALBANY, NEW YORK: Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) sharply denounced a New York bill that would mandate Chick-fil-A chains located at travel plazas owned by the State Thruway Authority to stay open seven days a week.

The Senator threatened "war" in response to the bill, which applies to all food vendors operating at such rest stops, and said that he would introduce legislation to financially punish the state for what he deemed an attack on religious freedom, as per New York Post.

New York State Assembly calls out Chick-fil-A for 'inappropriate' weekly shutdown

The iconic chicken franchise, founded by devout Southern Baptist S Truett Cathy, has maintained Sunday closures across its over 3,000 restaurants, in line with the company's Christian values, per the chain's website.

This signature operational model was directly challenged by the legislation recently proposed in the New York State Assembly, calling out Chick-fil-A by name calling it "inappropriate" to have a weekly shutdown at an area dedicated to providing timely meal options to highway travelers.

Assemblyman Tony Simone (D), a sponsor of the regulatory bill affecting vendors at New York Thruway Authority service areas, claims no animus against Chick-fil-A itself but believes state plazas should maximize public benefit with uninterrupted food access.

“To find one of the restaurants closed on the Thruway is just not in the public good,” he remarked.

Lindsey Graham threatens 'war' on New York over Chick-fil-A bill

In a thread on X, Graham lambasted New York lawmakers not only for disrespecting private religious convictions but also for overstepping constitutional bounds between church and state.

"The founders of Chick-fil-A made a decision early on to close on Sunday, consistent with their faith. For any government to try to reverse this decision flies in the face of who we are as Americans," Graham posted.

"Chick-fil-A is a great company with thousands of locations serving the public with a quality product and taking care of their employees. New York is off base and their actions will not go unanswered."

The senator pledged the introduction of legislation that would cut off federal funding to any jurisdiction compelling Chick-fil-A operations on Sunday as he wrote, "This is war. If this goes forward, I will be introducing legislation withholding federal funds from any city or state that requires @ChickfilA to stay open on Sunday."

Internet erupts in mockery of Lindsey Graham for declaring 'war' over Chick-fil-A

Graham's vociferous defense of the fast food chain's religious liberties prompted widespread ridicule on social media, with critics mocking his priorities, given pressing national issues.

One user on X derided Graham, remarking, "That's your favorite word," poking fun at his choice of rhetoric. Another expressed shame, exclaiming, "I’m embarrassed that you are my Senator. You have NOTHING ELSE to work on right now? Nothing else going on in the world? Nothing??? You joke. I can’t wait to vote you out."

Others questioned the senator's priorities, with one quipping, "Knowing your love for war, are you meaning that literally?" and another asking pointedly, "Don’t you have some serious issues to be working on?"

The online derision didn't stop there. A fifth user sarcastically predicted, "Great, now we’re going to be sending trillions to Chick-fil-A to defend democracy." Another individual, also employing sarcasm, remarked, "Glad you are on top of things that matter."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.