Gov. Kathy Hochul vows to protect New York freedoms, discusses path forward after 2024 election

Updated 2 hours ago
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Gov. Kathy Hochul addressed New Yorkers on the state's path forward after the 2024 presidential election was called for Donald Trump.

Alongside New York Attorney General Letitia James, Hochul delivered remarks from her city office in Manhattan on Wednesday.

During the news conference, Hochul congratulated President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance on winning the election, while commending Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on their hard-fought campaign. She also congratulated State Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on her win, and other newly-elected and reelected Democratic members of Congress.

The governor said that New York will honor the results of the presidential election and work with anyone who wants to help in achieving its goals, but the state will not accept an agenda from Washington that strips away the rights that New Yorkers have.

"This is the birthplace of the women's rights movement, the environmental justice movement, the LGBTQ rights movement and the American labor movement. With that as part of our history, our story, New York will remain a bastion for freedom and rule of law," Hochul said.



In a glimmer of hope, Hochul pointed out that a majority of New York voted in support of the Equal Rights Amendment, also known as Proposition 1.

Hochul said she created the Empire State Freedom Initiative focused on key areas that may face challenges from the incoming presidential administration, such reproductive rights, civil rights and immigration policy. She added that her administration would work in collaboration with AG James' office and other government officials to keep New Yorkers informed about their efforts to protect their freedoms.

"We faced this challenge before, and we use the rule of law to fight back. And we are prepared to fight back once again, because as the Attorney General of this great state, it is my job to protect and defend the rights of New Yorkers and the rule of law, and I will not shrink from that responsibility," James said.

The governor and AG's remarks come after New York City Mayor Eric Adams held his own press conference on Wednesday also vowing to fight for the rights of New Yorkers.

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