Hochul Criticizes ICE Tactics After Minneapolis Shooting
Governor Cathy Hochul of New York expressed her concerns on Thursday about the behavior of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, saying a recent confrontation left her feeling uneasy. During an appearance on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe,” she recalled an incident where she questioned an ICE agent about wearing a mask, pointing out that it seemed to instill fear.
“I really respect law enforcement, but I just had to ask, ‘Why are you wearing a mask?'” Hochul noted while recounting her experience at 26 Federal Plaza. “No other law enforcement agency does this. Our police department? No. FBI agents? No. So, why this?” She shared that the agent responded they were trying to protect themselves from harassment.
Hochul further remarked, “You guys are just trying to intimidate people, and it’s not necessary here.” She emphasized that New York is actively working to prevent the “militarization” of its streets, suggesting that ICE should not have been in Minneapolis during the recent incident, which escalated to a shooting.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that federal agents shot Renee Nicole Good after she allegedly aimed her vehicle at them during an attempted arrest. Good was later pronounced dead. The involved agents are yet to be identified, and the case remains under review.
Addressing concerns about potential protests in New York, Hochul accused the Trump administration of trying to create chaos, stating, “This is exactly what they want—to paint a picture of lawlessness in Democratic cities.” She insisted that New York is safe, citing statistics about decreasing crime rates.
Hochul criticized a recent ICE raid on a candy factory in New York that led to multiple arrests, casting doubt on the agency’s approaches. “We’re willing to collaborate with the federal government on border security, but we won’t endorse masked ICE agents breaking apart families,” she declared.
She emphasized that such raids do not enhance safety in New York communities. “These actions displace hardworking families trying to establish their lives just like many immigrants before them,” she added, reaffirming her commitment to oppose actions contrary to the state’s values.
