NY Gov Hochul Declares War on Trump After Singing a Different Tune Weeks Ago

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has taken a sharp turn in her stance, announcing she will now be "leading the resistance" against former President Donald Trump. This comes just weeks after she emphatically told reporters she wasn’t interested in such a role.

In an interview with NPR’s "Morning Edition" on Monday, Hochul declared her intent to "fight back hard" following the Trump administration’s move to block New York City’s controversial congestion pricing toll. "We offered up an olive branch," she said. "But once you draw first blood on us, we're coming back hard. And I will be leading the resistance on policies like these where you're hurting New Yorkers directly." Fighting words, no doubt.

This assertive tone is a stark contrast to her comments from less than two weeks ago. At that time, Hochul told reporters, "I’ve been asked countless times, ‘Are you leading the resistance?’ – No, I’m governing the great state of New York." So, what changed? Apparently, the congestion toll showdown was the last straw. Or maybe she's just realized that playing hardball makes better headlines.

The Trump administration had ordered a halt to the toll program, which aims to reduce traffic and fund mass transit by charging most vehicles $9 to enter Manhattan’s core south of Central Park. Hochul had even tried a diplomatic approach, meeting with Trump at the White House last month to plead her case. Unsurprisingly, she later admitted the meeting likely did little to sway the former president.

On Monday, Hochul doubled down, emphasizing that Democratic governors must act as the "firewall" against Trump and Republicans in Congress. She urged her counterparts to push back against efforts to slash federally funded social programs, calling it their duty to stand up against the "destruction of policies that are helping people and have been in place for decades." It’s a bold pivot, and one that’s sure to grab attention both in New York and beyond.

Hochul’s about-face raises eyebrows, but it also underscores the high-stakes battle between the state and federal government. Whether this new resistance leader persona will resonate with New Yorkers—or just leave them scratching their heads—remains to be seen.