Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James deliver remarks on the 2024 elections in Manhattan on Tuesday. Photo: Susan Watts/Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul

Nov 06, 2024 —

Gov. Kathy Hochul congratulated President-elect Donald Trump from New York City on Wednesday. She spoke about how she is preparing for his second term in the White House.

“While we recognize the results of this election and will work with anyone who wants to be partners in achieving the goals of our government and our state, that does not mean we will accept an agenda from Washington that overrides the rights that New York has , robbed. “Yorkers have enjoyed it for a long time.”

Hochul faced criticism in the days leading up to Election Day for calling Trump’s supporters “anti-American” and “misogynistic.” GOP leaders used those words as a rallying cry in the final days of the campaign.

On Wednesday afternoon, Hochul announced the creation of the Empire State Freedom Initiative. She said it will focus on areas most likely to be threatened by a Trump administration, pointing to reproductive, civil, labor and LGBTQ rights; Immigration; gun safety; and environmental justice.

“Our team will do everything we can to identify potential threats to these rights we hold dear in New York State and to protect New Yorkers,” Hochul said. “This includes legislation, rulemaking, appropriations and partnerships with our congressional delegation and … the Biden administration at this time.”

Hochul said senior officials and lawyers at all levels of government are working with Attorney General Tish James’ office to coordinate these efforts.

The governor also called on Trump to repeal his elimination of the SALT deduction, support the state’s transit system and support economic development projects funded by the federal CHIPS and Science Acts.