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

NEW YORK (WABC) — Governor Kathy Hochul spoke to New Yorkers about the state’s path forward after the 2024 presidential election went to Donald Trump.

Joined by New York Attorney General Letitia James, Hochul made remarks from her Manhattan city office on Wednesday.

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

The governor said New York will honor the results of the presidential election and work with anyone who wants to help achieve its goals, but the state will not accept an agenda from Washington that takes away the rights 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 history, New York will remain a bastion of freedom and the rule of law,” Hochul said.

In a glimmer of hope, Hochul pointed out that a majority of New Yorkers voted in favor of the equality amendment, also known as Proposition 1.

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

“We’ve faced this challenge before, and we’re using the rule of law to fight back. And we’re prepared to fight back again, because as the attorney general of this great state, it’s my job to protect and defend the rights of New Yorkers and the rule of law, and I’m not going to shy away from that responsibility,” James said.

The governor and AG’s remarks come after New York City Mayor Eric Adams held his own news conference on Wednesday and also vowed to fight for New Yorkers’ rights.

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