In a recent interaction, New York's Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her apprehension about the "influence" of former President Donald Trump.
This came up during a discussion about her decision not to oust New York City's Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, despite the latter facing serious charges.
According to the Daily Caller, Mayor Adams was indicted by the Biden administration's Justice Department on charges of bribery, fraud, and accepting illegal campaign donations in September. However, the Trump administration had previously attempted to dismiss these charges, citing political motivation and the potential hindrance to Adams' efforts to tackle illegal immigration.
In response to a question from "Morning Joe" co-host Jonathan Lemire about her potential reconsideration of the decision not to exercise her authority to remove Adams, Hochul stated, "Certainly. And its an extraordinary power to think that one individual can use her judgment and say that youve lost the public trust and so its not one that you take lightly." She further expressed concerns about the Trump administration's influence, not just on immigration, but also on city affairs such as traffic control.
Hochul continued, "A lot of people are outraged. People are very concerned about this, worried. But I said, if I can get some controls in place to give me line of sight into budget investigations, legal, and this all has to be approved by the city council. I cant even unilaterally do those controls." She emphasized her efforts to create safeguards and reduce tension, assuring New Yorkers that the government is working for them and trying to reduce the drama.
In a letter dated February 19, Black state legislators urged Hochul not to remove Adams, arguing that his political future should be determined in the upcoming primary election in June.
Mayor Adams, who appeared alongside Trump administration border czar Tom Homan on "Fox and Friends" on February 14, announced that U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement would operate at Rikers Island. This comes in the wake of over 200,000 migrants arriving in New York City since 2022, as reported by the New York Times.
In response to the influx, Adams announced several budget cuts in November 2023, including closing libraries on Sundays and freezing hiring for the New York Police Department. "This issue will destroy New York City," Adams warned in September 2023. "Were getting 10,000 migrants a month. people all over the globe have made their minds up that theyre going to come through the southern part of the border and come into New York City.
The New York Times also reported in May 2024 that over 130 hotels in New York City had closed their doors to tourists to provide shelter for illegal immigrants. This move has led to a surge in hotel room prices for tourists to over $300, with hotels receiving between $139 to $185 per room per night for sheltering migrants. This situation underscores the complex challenges that the city faces in managing the influx of migrants, and the potential impact on its economy and public services.
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