After Trump’s victory, Hochul and James vow to fend off any moves against New York

by Junna Base November 7, 2024

Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James fired a shot across the president-elect’s bow on Wednesday, warning Donald Trump that New York will fight actions by his new administration that are contrary to the state or the rights of New Yorkers.

“New York will remain a bastion for freedom and the rule of law,” Hochul said at a joint press conference with James in Manhattan. “And over the next few weeks and years, I will do everything in my power to ensure that New York remains a bastion against efforts to deny these rights in other states.”

The two Democratic leaders spoke somberly as their party grappled with a dreaded result from last night: The Republican former president had beaten Kamala Harris and will return in January to the White House he occupied four years ago after his defeat by President Joe Biden had left.

Hochul and James also came to New York to enjoy the positive results. Democrats flipped at least two and possibly three seats in the House of Representatives, making up for their party’s surprisingly weak showing in 2022. And New Yorkers had overwhelmingly passed a ballot measure adding abortion rights and more discrimination protections to the state constitution — despite a strong and well-funded GOP campaign against it.

But the prospect of one-party rule in Washington was emerging, with Republicans winning the White House and a majority in the Senate and possibly retaining their majority in the House. That set the stage for conflict with a state where Democrats hold all the levers of power.

New “Empire State Freedom Initiative” on the way

Hochul announced that her administration is launching an “Empire State Freedom Initiative” to counter any threats from Washington on abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, gun safety, immigration and other areas. She said those responses could come in the form of laws, regulations and budget spending.

She said she welcomes working with Trump and his next administration to secure federal funding for New York transit projects and other infrastructure work, as well as for the production of new microchips, under the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act.

“However, if you attempt to harm New Yorkers or limit their rights, I will fight you every step of the way,” she warned. “New Yorkers are resilient. We fought the first time and we will fight again.”

James said her office has also begun planning its responses to steps the Trump White House might take.

“We stand ready to respond to their attacks,” James said. “We stand ready to respond to any attempts to reduce or eliminate funding to the great state of New York, as the governor has outlined.”

New York has lost an important influence in Washington as a result of Tuesday’s elections. The GOP’s takeover of power in the Senate means Sen. Chuck Schumer, who has represented New York in that chamber for 26 years, will lose the influential role he held as majority leader for the past four years.

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at [email protected].

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