In a dramatic standoff that has electrified political circles, New York Governor Kathy Hochul lashed out on air in response to charges filed by former Attorney General Pam Bondi, as President Trump tightens his grip on state funding. Speaking on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” with host Margaret Brennan on Sunday, Hochul vowed that New York would not back down in the face of what she called an assault on state sovereignty and public rights.
The controversy erupted after AG Bondi publicly announced that her Department of Justice had filed charges against the state of New York, naming Governor Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, and even Mark Schroeder of the DMV. Bondi’s announcement, delivered with unmistakable conviction, accused New York of prioritizing illegal aliens over American citizens. “We’re here today because we have filed charges against the state of New York. We have filed charges against Kathy Hochul. We have filed charges against Letitia James and Mark Schroeder,” Bondi declared on air. She went on to warn, “New York has chosen to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. It stops today. We sued Illinois. New York did not listen. Now you’re next.”
These hard-hitting remarks set the stage for a fierce response from Governor Hochul. Appearing on “Face the Nation,” Hochul addressed the charged atmosphere head-on. “It was an adversarial meeting,” she said, referring to a recent private encounter with President Trump in Washington, D.C. “I found out that the Trump administration had ended a program—congestion pricing—implemented by our duly elected legislators. With a single tweet, he claimed the power to dismantle it, as if he were a king.”
Hochul, whose administration has long championed innovative policies to tackle New York’s notorious gridlock, emphasized that the congestion pricing program was a critical component of the state’s strategy to improve urban mobility. “We had a clear, viable path to ease the paralyzing traffic in our city, and I went directly to President Trump to show him its benefits. It’s working for us, and it will work for all Americans if given a chance,” she asserted.
Her statement was a pointed rebuke to those who, in her view, are attempting to subvert democratic processes with authoritarian tactics. “I’m not going to sit idly by while our rights are attacked,” Hochul continued. “We will fight on every front—whether it’s on immigration, infrastructure, or preserving the integrity of our programs. The people of New York deserve better, and I will take the fight wherever I have to.”
Margaret Brennan, introducing the topic, highlighted the immense pressure New York faces given its reliance on federal funding—accounting for about 40% of the state’s budget. “This is not just about policy; it’s about the survival of our state. Federal funds are the lifeblood of New York, and when those funds are used as leverage against us, it’s a direct attack on our people,” Brennan noted.
In response, Hochul acknowledged the challenge, comparing the federal pressure to a strategic game. “What the administration is doing is akin to flooding the zone,” she explained. “They’re targeting states like California with FEMA dollars, filing lawsuits in Illinois, and now coming after New York. But just like in football, when you flood the zone, the defenders have to remain disciplined, smart, and resolute. That’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Hochul’s fiery remarks did not stop there. She confirmed that while she is open to working with the federal government on common ground—such as addressing immigration issues and removing violent criminals from our streets—she would not tolerate any bullying or coercion. “We’re going to build great projects and infrastructure together when it makes sense, but do not think you can come in and bully us without expecting a reaction,” she warned.
The standoff underscores a broader national debate over the balance of power between state and federal governments, especially in the wake of recent aggressive policies pursued by the Trump administration. With Trump’s threats to cut funding from states that do not comply with his agenda, the conflict is intensifying across the nation. Governor Hochul’s resolute defiance is a stark reminder that states will fight back against what they view as federal overreach.
As the tension between New York and the federal government escalates, Hochul’s statement resonates with many Americans who fear that political power is being used as a weapon to undermine state autonomy. “We will continue to stand up for our rights and for the rights of every New Yorker,” Hochul concluded. “I am committed to ensuring that our state remains a beacon of progress and opportunity, regardless of the challenges we face from those who seek to intimidate us.”
In the coming days, all eyes will be on New York as it navigates this critical juncture, with Hochul leading the charge against what she describes as a brazen attempt to reshape state policy through coercion and litigation.
