Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Elise Stefanik, potential rivals in N.Y. governor's race, spar during House hearing on sanctuary city policies
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul joined two other governors on Capitol Hill on Thursday to testify before Congress about their states' sanctuary policies.
During questioning, Hochul clashed with upstate New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, who has often criticized the governor and has hinted at possibly running against her in 2026.
Stefanik confronts Hochul
Hochul, JB Pritzker of Illinois and Tim Walz of Minnesota were called before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where they faced questions from Republicans on the committee who see their states as hotbeds of violence due to illegal immigration, and from Democrats who believe these sanctuary policies are more important now than ever.
Stefanik directed the entirety of her time towards Hochul, referencing multiple violent crimes in New York City that the congresswoman blamed on the state's sanctuary policies.
The city has seen arrests of anti-ICE protesters at the hands of the NYPD every night this week, with police officials maintaining they don't require the help of the National Guard or the Marines in handling the situation.
"You are not advocating on behalf of these victims. You are shielding illegals. Even in your opening statement, you prioritize putting illegals first," Stefanik said.
"That is not true," Hochul responded. "Rather than going after the viral moment, I suggest you look at the facts."
"No, no, no, I'm standing up for New Yorkers," Stefanik shot back.
Stefanik also asked Hochul if she recognizes the name Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, the man accused of lighting a woman on fire on a New York City subway train back in December.
"I'm sure you'll tell me," Hochul responded.
Stefanik asked if she knows what crime he allegedly committed.
"I'm not familiar at this moment," Hochul said.
"I bet you're going to be familiar when I remind you he found a sleeping woman on a subway lit her on fire and burned her alive. This is in Kathy Hochul's New York and I'm sure you are aware, and I'll remind you, that ICE issued an order to detain this violent criminal, but that was rejected by New York officials due to sanctuary state laws," Stefanik said.
Hochul calls situation in L.A. "a flagrant abuse of power"
Hochul began her opening statement by addressing the situation in Los Angeles.
"An American city has been militarized, over the objections of their governor. At the outset, I just want to say that this is a flagrant abuse of power," Hochul said.
It's a situation the governor is clearly trying to avoid in her own state, as tensions rise with stepped-up U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies.
- Read more: Violent protests in New York City over ICE raids will not be tolerated, Mayor Eric Adams says
Hochul was asked by Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts what it would mean for the city if President Trump, as he did in California, sent the military in without her request.
"I have more confidence in our law enforcement than perhaps the president does. We ought to step back and say this is an overreach of epic proportions," Hochul responded.
"What is this country coming to?"
The Democratic governors tried repeatedly to stick up for the need to protect immigrants.
Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Democrat, asked the governors how they would react if Trump administration "border czar" Tom Homan tried to arrest them because of their policies.
"If Tom Homan comes to Albany to arrest me, I'll say go for it. You can't intimidate a governor. What is this country coming to? We're here on the front lines every day fighting to defend our rights, our values and the public safety of our residents," Hochul said.
