Governor Hochul Addresses Church Service, Critiques ICE
In her speech at a Sunday service celebrating Martin Luther King Jr., Governor Cathy Hochul took the opportunity to criticize ICE and hinted that Manhattan’s district attorney could eventually aim for the role of attorney general.
Speaking to over 1,000 attendees at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church, Hochul began with the hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” before awkwardly misidentifying District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s title.
“I never thought I’d witness what is happening in our country,” the Democrat remarked to the congregation gathered at the historic church on West 138th Street.
“I often think about the struggles mentioned in that beautiful song,” she noted, attempting to draw a connection between African American history and the issue of illegal immigration.
“People today are living in fear, afraid to attend church because they worry that ICE agents might detain them and take them away from their families. That’s the reality in America today,” Governor Hochul stated.
“I have made it clear that in my state, ICE agents cannot enter sacred spaces—like churches, hospitals, day care centers, and schools—without a judge’s signed warrant,” she continued. “They cannot breach these sacred spaces.”
“We are not going to yield our rights. We will not go backward! Not now. Never!”
Despite insisting that her speech was not intended to be political, the governor praised District Attorney Alvin Bragg during her sermon.
“We have another warrior looking out for public safety, and that’s our attorney general,” Hochul said, quickly correcting herself.
“I mean District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Perhaps one day he’ll become attorney general himself and influence the White House occupants,” she added, clearly anti-Trump.
Her praise for Bragg continued: “I’m not here to get political, but Bragg has been an excellent partner, providing ideas on how to enhance safety in our communities,” Hochul remarked. “I commend him, especially in Manhattan, where crime rates have dropped to record lows.”
