Latest news with #D-N.Y.
Fox News
a day ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Gov. Hochul dodges on whether she'll endorse Zohran Mamdani
Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., dodged a question about whether she would endorse New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani during an interview on Tuesday. On CNN's "Inside Politics," fill-in host Manu Raju spoke to Hochul about the deadly New York City shooting that occurred on Monday, and asked the governor to respond to Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., highlighting a post by Mamdani in which he called for defunding the police in 2020. "That's about as pathetic as it gets. I mean, seriously, going after an unelected official who said something back in 2020 when many people were, I mean, come on, give me a break," Hochul said. "Stand up to the gun lobby and show that you have the courage to do something that's actually pretty useful. Instead of just complaining about tweets. I don't talk about tweets. I don't do tweets on this. I govern, I know what I'm doing, and we have the toughest gun laws in the nation," she added. "And as I said, we are in the top. We have the number one in the large states for gun safety. That's what my job is. The governor is supposed to save her constituents, and I'm doing that every day with these tough laws," Hochul continued in response to Stefanik, a possible Republican contender for New York governor. Hochul went on to defend her own record, and argued that she has invested more money in law enforcement than any New York governor. "That's what I call funding the police. So stop deflecting," she said of Stefanik. Raju noted that it was Mamdani who called for defunding the police in 2020 and then asked Hochul if she was going to endorse him. "No, listen, that's – why do we talk about this today? There are families that are grieving. I'm sorry, you know, we're not talking politics. This is not the time and place for it," Hochul said, referring to the lives that had been affected by the shooting. Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic mayoral primary earlier this month. The socialist candidate received endorsements from key progressives, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Hochul has defended Mamdani against threats from President Donald Trump, but has yet to endorse him for mayor. Mamdani will face off against Cuomo, Mayor Eric Adams, and Jim Walden, who are all running as Independents, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
NYC skyscraper shooting ‘tragic and horrifying': Jeffries
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Monday called the New York City skyscraper shooting — where four people were killed, including a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer — 'tragic and horrifying.' 'The murder of a brave New York City police officer and several innocent civilians is tragic and horrifying,' he said in a statement. 'We mourn their loss and stand with their families during this time of need.' Our prayers and gratitude are also with those heroic law enforcement officers and first responders who put their lives on the line and selflessly rushed to the scene to save others,' Jeffries, whose congressional district encompasses parts of Brooklyn, added. The gunman, identified as Shane Tamura, allegedly shot and killed four people at a Midtown office building that housed Blackstone and the NFL on Monday before taking his own life. Another person was also injured in the shooting. One of the people killed, NYPD officer Didarul Islam, was with the police department for just over three years, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Islam immigrated from Bangladesh to the U.S. Islam was married and has two young children, per Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who added that his wife is pregnant with their third kid. 'He was doing what he does best and all members of the police department carry out. He was saving lives. He was protecting New Yorkers,' Adams said during a press conference. On Tuesday, the mayor ordered flags across the five boroughs to be placed at half-staff in honor of the victims. Jeffries in his statement said mass shootings are a 'plague.' 'The gun violence epidemic continues to afflict our country and now has shattered lives in our great City,' he said. 'The time has come for decisive action.'
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Democrats turn routine Trump nominees into pitched partisan battles
Democrats are retaliating against President Trump's broad assault on their most cherished policy priorities by turning the Senate's confirmation proceedings for relatively non-controversial executive branch nominees into pitched partisan battles, forcing Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to burn up the calendar on routine matters. Battling over nominees isn't new in Washington, but Senate Democrats, who are under heavy pressure from their base to show more fight against Trump, are taking obstruction to new heights by demanding more than 100 procedural votes in a row on Trump's nominees. Senate Democrats agreed to move directly to a vote to confirm then-Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as secretary of State only hours after Trump was sworn in to his second term in office, but since then they have insisted on holding procedural votes to invoke cloture on the next 106 nominees who came to the floor. The Democrats' obstruction, which Republicans say has reached a 'historic' level, is setting the stage for a grand showdown later this week, as Thune is threatening to cancel part of the August recess to keep senators in steamy Washington to grind through stalled nominees. Republicans say the Democrats' tactics are a significant departure from how Republicans treated President Biden's nominees during the four years Democrats controlled the White House and Senate, when approximately 60 percent of Biden's nominees were approved by unanimous consent. And it's even a striking contrast compared to Trump's first term, Republicans say, when approximately 50 percent of Trump's nominees were approved by unanimous consent. 'Democrats have not allowed a single civilian Trump nominee to pass by unanimous consent or voice vote — even when Democrats have ultimately ended up supporting the nomination in significant numbers,' Thune said on the floor Monday afternoon, calling it a 'historic level of obstruction.' He pointed out that Trump is the only president on record not to have a single one of his civilian nominees confirmed by unanimous consent or voice vote at this point in his presidency. By contrast, Biden had 44 of his civilian nominees confirmed by voice vote at a similar point in his presidency. Republicans say Democrats are setting a 'dangerous precedent' by purposely dragging their feet on confirming even non-controversial nominees, hamstringing the president's ability to get federal departments and agencies staffed up. And they warn that the next Democratic president could get a taste of that treatment unless Senate Democrats led by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) ease up on their tactics. 'It's a whole new precedent, and what goes around comes around,' Thune said Monday afternoon. 'There's a lot of Trump derangement syndrome that is afflicting the other side of the aisle but if they keep this up, this is not going to end well. I just think this creates a whole new precedent.' For example, take John Hurley, Trump's nominee to serve as Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial crimes. He was confirmed last week by a party-line vote of 51 to 47, failing to pick up a single Democratic vote despite having a sterling resumé and top-notch academic credentials. Hurley, a managing partner at Cavalry Asset Management and managing member of TGK Ventures had been a longtime lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, a former member of Trump's Intelligence Advisory Board and a member of the Middle East Institute's board of governors. He also graduated from Princeton University with honors and received an MBA from Stanford. 'This is the least amount of cooperation since Herbert Hoover. Why is that? I remember supporting packages [of nominees] before recesses with the Biden administration, 40, 50, 60 nominees in one package,' said Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). 'Why is it? We all know why. Schumer got burned during the [government funding debate.] His left wing is telling him to fight and now they're blocking every single nom,' he said. Sullivan said he confronted his Democratic colleagues during the votes on Hurley. 'Look at his background. I went up to all these Democrats and said, 'You guys, come on, man. I voted for all these Biden people, most of his Cabinet. You can't vote yes on John Hurley?'' Sullivan said. Trump urged Thune earlier this month to 'cancel August recess (and long weekends!) in order to get my incredible nominees confirmed.' 'Senate Democrats must stop obstructing the will of the American people, and the Senate must confirm President Trump's nominees as quickly as possible,' said Liz Huston, a White House spokesperson. Schumer on Monday defended his bare-knuckle tactics, pledging to use 'every tool at our disposal' to fight back against what he called the 'disastrous Donald Trump, Republican agenda.' Democrats argue that Trump is creating dangerous new precedents by appointing Cabinet officials, such as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who they say are dangerously unqualified and dedicated to pushing radical agendas. And they're furious that Trump gave Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) broad authority to furlough and lay off federal workers, shutter USAID and gain access to the Treasury Department's sensitive payments system. Democrats, who are struggling with low job approval ratings, are under heavy pressure from liberal voters who want congressional Democrats to grind Trump's agenda to a halt. Schumer was the target of scathing criticism in March after he voted for a partisan House GOP-drafted government funding bill, which he did reluctantly because he was worried that a government shutdown would give Trump and Musk too much power. Thune is now threatening to cancel part of the August recess if Democrats 'continue to drag out the process on even the most uncontroversial nominees,' warning 'we can spend a lot more hours with each other in the Senate chamber.' That's not a happy prospect for senators who have already taken more votes in 2025 than the Senate has taken over the course of a full year for 32 of the past 36 years. Thune canceled the traditional Presidents Day recess in February to confirm Howard Lutnick as Trump's secretary of Commerce, Kash Patel to be FBI director and to pass a Senate budget resolution. Democrats at times have forced votes on the routine business of moving from legislative session into executive session, a necessary step before Thune can file cloture motions to begin considering nominees. Last week, Democrats forced a vote on the motion to proceed to executive session to consider Emil Bove, Trump's nominee to serve on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Democrats dug in their heels against Bove, citing the allegations of a Department of Justice whistleblower who said the nominee urged federal attorneys to defy court orders blocking the use of the Alien Enemies Act. Democrats earlier this month walked out of Judiciary Committee business meeting to protest Bove's nomination. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) accused Bove of leading the administration's 'corrupt bargain' to dismiss charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. But even nominees who would be considered relatively non-controversial in the past are requiring procedural setup votes and final votes split strictly along party lines to get confirmed. Senators held 17 votes — either procedural set-up or final confirmation votes — last week on Trump nominees, burning up hours of time on the floor. Thune warned Monday that if Democrats keep it up, the August recess will get trimmed back. 'We haven't ruled anything. The options are on the table,' he said.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
Schumer blasts Trump's EU deal: ‘It's fake!'
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) blasted the trade deal negotiated between the United States and the European Union over the weekend, calling it 'fake.' The trade deal sets tariffs on European goods at 15 percent, half the rate that Trump had previously threatened on the continent. In exchange, the EU has pledged to buy $750 billion in American energy over the next three years. 'Trump would have you believe it's the biggest deal ever,' Schumer complained. 'Europe has admitted that this agreement isn't legally binding, and they have no control over whether these investments even happen.' While Europe is presumably avoiding a trade war with the U.S., several leading figures condemned the deal. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou called Sunday a 'dark day' in a post on X. Schumer compared the agreement to Trump's deal with Japan, where the U.S. has imposed a 15 percent tariff in exchange for $550 billion in Japanese investments in American sectors. It is not clear what those exact investments would entail. The deal with Europe was reached days before Trump's postured deadline of Aug. 1, when his threatened levies are generally scheduled to take place. American trade representatives have fanned across the globe to attempt to make deals with countries as the president has continued dialing tariffs up and down. Schumer was also among the Democratic senators who sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Monday criticizing the administration's reversal on allowing certain high-powered computer chips to be sold to China.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
President Ocasio-Cortez isn't as far of a reach as it once was
In a move that surprised many on both sides of the political aisle, progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) recently voted — with an overwhelming majority of House Democrats and Republicans — to support funding for Israel's Iron Dome defense system. To be sure, Ocasio-Cortez's vote made little difference to the final tally. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), which could have cut U.S. support, was shot down 422-6. Nevertheless, voting to support continued funding was extremely revealing for what it says about Ocasio-Cortez's grander ambitions. Indeed, not only did her vote mark a clear break with other members of the progressive 'Squad,' who made up five of the six objections. More importantly, it positioned Ocasio-Cortez closer to the Democratic mainstream at a time when her name has been brought up as a candidate for the Senate, and potentially even President. Further, this vote positions the congresswoman well vis-à-vis Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who trails Ocasio-Cortez by 19-points (55 percent to 36 percent) in a poll reported by Politico. This is not the first time Ocasio-Cortez has broken from the progressive wing in order to strengthen her candidacy for higher office, although it is the most serious. In 2021, in the wake of another war between Israel and Gaza, Ocasio-Cortez publicly lobbied against Iron Dome funding only to reverse course and vote 'present.' At the time, MSNBC called her actions a bid to 'preserve the possibility of challenging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.' Much like that vote, Ocasio-Cortez has maintained her image as a critic of Israel, but one who recognizes its right to exist and to self-defense, albeit her recent statements make it clear that she has an extremely narrow definition of 'self-defense.' This position, much closer to the wider Democratic Party and national electorate, is also in stark contrast with other progressive rising stars, such as Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani, the front-runner to be New York City's next Mayor has said Israel should not exist as a Jewish State, expressed support for the anti-Israel Boycott, Divest, Sanctions movement, and who has taken a decisively one-sided view to Hamas's Oct. 7 attacks as well as the ensuring war. And yet, given the vastly different circumstances between the 2021 vote and present day, Ocasio-Cortez's July 18 vote carries considerably more weight. For months, even as many have doubted Ocasio-Cortez's viability for statewide or national office, she has travelled the country, drawing thousands to her rallies. Even in red states and districts, voters are coming out to see her. At one rally in Plattsburgh, N.Y., a district represented by Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Ocasio-Cortez reportedly drew a full 10 percent of the entire town. In that same vein, she has shown herself to be unmatched at fundraising ability. According to a Wall Street Journal analysis, Ocasio-Cortez has raised $15.4 million this year, nearly twice as much as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and 23 times more than Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), the longest serving woman in the House. Moreover, virtually all (99 percent) of Ocasio-Cortez's contributions have come from individuals — her average donation in the second quarter was just $17 — rather than big-spending political action committees. Tellingly, almost three-quarters (72 percent) of her contributions have come from out of state, with a significant share also being spent on advertising in states other than New York. In fact, at this point — three years out from the 2028 elections — Ocasio-Cortez is seemingly more popular, marketable and noteworthy than former President Barack Obama was three years before the 2008 election. Obama, it will be remembered, was not even included in polls during the summer of 2005. His first appearance in a national poll came that December but was still considered such a longshot that his next appearance did not come until October of 2006. Conversely, the Race to the White House polling aggregator shows Ocasio-Cortez (12 percent) in fourth place, and she's consistently a top five finisher in individual polls. Polymarket even shows her having the second-best odds, 17 percent, behind only Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) at 21 percent. Additionally, in Democratic primaries, the left-wing of the party tends to dominate, giving her a considerable boost, particularly given the enthusiasm she tends to generate among this group. Taken together, it increasingly appears that Ocasio-Cortez's growing national appeal supports her growing political ambitions. However, as I've stated elsewhere, there are legitimate reasons to doubt whether her viability for higher office corresponds with her aspirations. Aside from her age, she will turn 39 three weeks before the 2028 election, and inexperience, Ocasio-Cortez's political leanings could alienate a sufficient number of swing voters. The 2024 election indicated that Americans, including a significant number of Democrats, do not want a far-left Democratic Party, and Ocasio-Cortez has historically been squarely on that side. Likewise, even if she is taking steps to quietly move to the center on some issues, she may be underestimating the potential damage it may do among her own base of support. Just days after the vote on the amendment, a far-left group defaced Ocasio-Cortez's Bronx office, painting 'Ocasio-Cortez funds genocide' in red paint. Her campaign advisor has also said that they've received death threats due to her vote. Without downplaying the seriousness and inexcusability of political violence, it is doubtful that the far-left would stay away if Ocasio-Cortez began to be considered a legitimate frontrunner in the next three years. Furthermore, were she to become the party's nominee for either the Senate or the presidency, there is likely a 'built in' vote among Democratic voters who would support the party, regardless of the candidate. That's especially true given that she addresses critical needs for Democrats — their lack of fresh ideas, new faces and overall lack of energy. Of course, this is certainly not to suggest that she will be the nominee. She may very well decide that making a run at the Senate first makes more sense. Her appeal may also begin to fade between now and 2028. Ultimately, the prospect of Ocasio-Cortez becoming Democrats' 2028 presidential nominee is not out of the realm of reason, and even looks considerably more plausible than it did just one year ago. Douglas E. Schoen is a political consultant who served as an adviser to President Clinton and to the 2020 presidential campaign of Michael Bloomberg. He is the author of 'The End of Democracy? Russia and China on the Rise and America in Retreat.'
