Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo was standing by the controversial bail reforms of the Imperial State on Sunday. “It was a horrifying social mistake,” he told reporters after the mayoral campaign was suspended at Harlem Church.
Cuomo, 67, became a top runner after throwing his hat into the race to let Mayor Eric Adams go to hospital.
“Some people raised the issue of not having sufficient judicial discretion in the bill,” the former governor said after speaking at Mount Nebo Baptist Church. “It's changed, it's improved. So now it's up to the judge and it's up to the prosecutor to actually use their discretion to bring about the proper charges.”
“And remember, bail reform was a terrible mistake. We had people in Riker's prison. We were not guilty of anything because we weren't allowed to go to jail and not get bail,” he said. “Because you are wealthy, you can be released on bail and will not be released, but if you can't bail, you will remain in prison, even though you have not committed any crimes yet.”
State lawmakers have tweaked the law to give judges some room for shaking since their first passing in 2019, but most crimes are not yet on bail.
However, Cuomo, who served as state attorney general, continued to talk about law and order on the campaign trail, reiterating his promise to hire another 5,000 officers to strengthen the NYPD.
“We have city officials, many of whom want to be mayors in New York. They uttered three ridiculous words you could write, “Cut the police,”” he said Sunday. “Why? Because they were blaming extremists and what some people say was popular.
“It was progressive.”
He said restoring New York's finest ranks to the level that was during former mayor David Dinkins' tenure would help New Yorkers stop the waves fleeing for greener pastures.
Cuomo also warned that he would shoot President Trump and interfere in New York politics. Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke up after the White House closed the price of congestion.
“We dealt with President Trump and it worked,” he said. “I'm not saying it's not a challenge. I dealt with him through Covid. Every day it was a challenge, but we got up to the opportunity.”
Meanwhile, facing a crowded field of challengers, Adams addressed the parishioners of Iglesia Pentecost de Gesquelist de Queens on Sunday, speaking to an audience of about 100 people.
Former Republican Governor George Pataki also made his heart a reality Sunday, saying it was a mistake for Big Apple residents to elect Andrew Cuomo as mayor.
“I'll see Cuomo…[who] Pataki said in the “Cat Round Table” program on WABC 770.
“His record is about himself, not about the right policy. All you have to do is see what he did during Covid to see it… we all make a mistake… But you don't lie about it. You should never pretend it never happened,” he said, Cuomo mentioned “being blamed for pandemic-related deaths in the decline of nursing home residents.”
“You don't blame anyone else for it. You take responsibility. It wasn't. [with Cuomo]. ”
He said the city has the highest performance under the Republican mayor, referring to Rudy Giuliani and Mike Bloomberg.
Additional Reports by Valentina Jaramillo Carl Campanile
