Washington, D.C. — New York Governor Kathy Hochul made it clear on Sunday that Democratic governors will not back down in the face of former President Donald Trump’s recent threats to retaliate against states that don’t align with his political agenda.
Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation” with Margaret Brennan, Hochul stated that governors across the country are prepared to push back against federal overreach.
“Don’t think that you can just come in and bully us around and not expect a reaction from governors,” Hochul warned during the interview.
Tensions Rise Over Federal Threats
The growing friction follows a White House event on Friday where Trump directly targeted Maine Governor Janet Mills, threatening to withhold federal funding if her state does not comply with his executive order that bars transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Mills promptly responded with, “See you in court.”
Hochul criticized Trump’s tactics, accusing his administration of using distractions to shift focus from more pressing national issues. She cited:
- FEMA recovery fund disputes in California
- Lawsuits targeting Illinois
- The confrontation with Mills over transgender athlete rights
“What they’re trying to do is create this theater of all kinds of activity that is trying to be a distraction to us,” Hochul said.
The Battle Over New York City’s Congestion Pricing
Another flashpoint between Hochul and Trump is the revocation of federal approval for New York City’s congestion pricing plan. The policy, which requires drivers entering Lower Manhattan and Midtown to pay a $9 toll during peak hours, was intended to ease traffic congestion and raise funds for public transportation.
Trump announced on Truth Social that the policy was “dead” and claimed credit for saving New Yorkers from additional fees, declaring, “LONG LIVE THE KING!”
In response, Hochul pushed back:
- The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has initiated legal proceedings to challenge the revocation.
- She remains confident that the state will be victorious in court and that the program will move forward as planned.
“We labored under a king 250 years ago, and we’re not going back there,” Hochul said, rejecting Trump’s self-proclaimed title.
Hochul’s Private Meeting with Trump
Hochul also held a private meeting with Trump at the White House last Friday. The meeting took place shortly after federal prosecutors in New York filed a motion to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
When asked about Adams, Hochul said she had no discussions about his legal situation during her meeting with Trump, adding that she remains committed to protecting the city’s autonomy from federal interference.
“We are not allowing the Trump administration to interfere in the operations of our city,” Hochul asserted.
Standing as a Firewall Against Federal Overreach
As tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic governors intensify, Hochul vowed to stand firm against any attempts to undermine New York’s independence.
“I know there’s a lot of people disappointed and angry and want something done immediately, but I will always stand on the fact that we are a nation of laws,” Hochul said.
She emphasized her role as a “firewall” to block any undue interference from the federal government, especially as Trump continues to signal his intentions to involve himself more directly in state-level operations.
