MADISON, Wis. — Demonstrators booed outgoing Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Tuesday at a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, drowning out a high school choir with their own songs in protest of a Republican effort to gut the powers of Walker’s Democratic successor.

The governor, wearing a Santa tie, appeared unfazed as he flipped the switch while one protester shouted “Hey Walker! Go home!” He left without taking questions from reporters about the bills being considered by the rare lame-duck legislative session. Walker, who has signaled support for the measures, later tweeted that he “can handle the shouts,” but he urged protesters to “leave the kids alone.”

Democrats have derided the lame-duck lawmaking as a cynical attempt to preserve power after Walker’s re-election loss last month.