In a dramatic confrontation on live television today, Sunny Hostin, co-host of ABC’s “The View”, voiced stern criticism against Governor Kathy Hochul of New York for her decision to place National Guard soldiers on duty in New York City’s subway system. In the high-stakes world of Gotham politics, the specter of violent crime has once again risen to the forefront, igniting firestorms of debate among the chattering classes about public safety, law enforcement strategies, and the perhaps-unintended consequences of progressive criminal justice reform.
Hostin’s eyebrow-raising critique came during Governor Hochul’s Wednesday appearance on the high-rated daytime talk show. The crux of the criticism: that the move was unnecessary and played into “Republican narratives” painting Democrat-governed locations as crime-ridden “war zones.”
The issue arose when Hostin grilled the governor, saying, “Governor, after a series of high-profile crime on New York City subways, right, you deployed hundreds of state police and National Guard troops into the subway system. But since the pandemic, you have done a wonderful job, overall crime is down in the city, so my question to you is, why now? Why deploy now to the subway?”
The conversation took a turn towards even more contentious ground when the topic expanded to include the Democratic Party’s recent bail reform laws. Cuomo, the previous Governor of New York who resigned following a barrage of accusations of sexual misconduct, was cast as the scapegoat for these problematic policies by Hochul. She blamed Cuomo for diluting the effectiveness of the bail laws, thus leading to a state-sponsored revolving door of criminality. “I inherited from my predecessor and the legislature before – they took the bail laws and watered them down and made it impossible for judges to look at the whole picture of the crime and the person, what they’re doing,” Governor Hochul explained.
Midway through the televised encounter, co-host Joy Behar chimed in with her own questions to Governor Hochul, expressing bewilderment and shock at the apparent malfunctioning of the criminal justice system. Behar pointed out the incredulous and alarming scenario in which four murder suspects were freed on bail, despite incriminating physical evidence recovered at the crime scene.
In the face of such critical questioning from the ABC presenters, Hochul staunchly maintained her defense, asserting her unwavering commitment to public safety. Her response, reiterated throughout the intense exchange, was a simple yet profound declaration: “My job is to keep you people safe. Any way I can, I’m going to keep New Yorkers safe, and I’ll tell you who does show appreciation for it, the people out there on the streets.”
Our current political and social landscape requires firm and decisive action from public officials at every level to address the complex issues we face. Governor Hochul is coming face to face with this challenging reality. Bearing the weight of her predecessor’s poor decisions and the repercussions of recent bail reforms, she’s placed in a particularly thorny predicament. Amid the endless debates and widespread criticisms, the lives and safety of everyday New Yorkers hang in the balance.
As we evaluate the efficacy of deploying National Guard troops in our city’s arteries, central questions must be posed: Is this the on-ground reality that we are cultivating for New Yorkers as a response to the crime and fear spreading through our subways, streets, and homes? Has the complete jettisoning of rational restraint and common sense in favor of knee-jerk political considerations exacerbated the crime problem instead of resolving it? It’s time to consider that the answer to these questions might be less about embracing political correctness and more about embracing a fundamental tenet: ensuring public safety isn’t a partisan issue. It’s an issue of good governance.
Despite stringent scrutiny, Governor Hochul remains resilient and undeterred amidst this swirling controversy. Echoing her on-air assertions, it is clear Hochul’s primary concern is keeping New Yorkers safe – whatever it takes.
Our conclusion on this heated discourse points to the undeniable importance of public safety, the value of good governance, and the enduring need for open debate. It is evident that the specter of crime cannot be cast aside casually. As the conversation continues to unfold, may the dialogue illuminate the path towards constructive solutions that place safety at the forefront rather than as a reaction to an unchecked problem. As it stands now, the lives and wellbeing of New York’s citizenry depend on it. Whether we see a decrease in crime rates or regrettable situations like the unnecessary release of murder suspects, the nation’s eyes continue to be on Governor Hochul, as she navigates a path towards safety and justice for all New Yorkers.
