Trump-hating New York politicians vow to counteract any potential revenge

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, who have spent years prosecuting and denigrating Donald Trump, vowed to fight back against any “revenge or retaliation” that might come their way after the elected President Trump will return to the White House.

Hochul congratulated Trump during a news conference Wednesday while praising his opponent, Vice President Harris and Minnesota Vice President Tim Walz, for a “hard-fought campaign that really addressed so many issues that matter to Americans.”

She acknowledged that the results may not have been what many had hoped for, but assured her constituents that New York had already weathered difficult times.

“That's why I have confidence in my team and everyone we work closely with that we will weather the uncertainty of a new administration in Washington, because like I said, we've done this before,” Hochul said. “I want to be clear that while we recognize the results of this election and will work with anyone who wants to be partners in achieving our administration's goals in our state, that does not mean we accept an agenda from Washington “This deprives New Yorkers of the rights they have long enjoyed.”

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Letitia James, left, and Kathy Hochul (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Reminding the public that New York is the birthplace of the women's rights movement, the environmental justice movement, the LGBTQ rights movement and the American labor movement, the governor said the state will continue to be a “bastion” of freedom and the rule of law.

She also announced the creation of the Empire State Freedom Initiative, which will focus on areas that Hochul and other state officials believe could be threatened by the Trump administration. She said the initiative will provide protections for reproductive rights, civil rights, immigration, gun safety, labor rights, LGBTQ rights and environmental justice.

“Our team will do everything we can to identify potential threats to these rights we hold dear in New York State and to protect New Yorkers,” Hochul said. “This includes legislation, rulemaking, appropriations and partnerships with our congressional delegation and, at this point, with the Biden administration.”

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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul congratulated President-elect Trump on his election victory but said she and other state officials were prepared to fend off attempts to defund the state. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

She called on Trump to support New York's ongoing efforts to use the MTA to get funding for major critical infrastructure and to support economic development projects like those funded by the Chips and Science Act.

“I will work with him or anyone, regardless of party, on such efforts that I know will benefit New York state,” Hochul said. “However, if you seek to harm New Yorkers or restrict their rights, I will fight you every step of the way. New Yorkers are resilient. We fought the first time and we will fight again.”

James also congratulated Trump on his victory, but not without rancor.

She told people in New York that she and other state officials would work with Trump and his administration “if possible,” but without compromising the integrity or principles of the state.

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New York Attorney General Letitia James (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Congressional Black Caucus Foundation/File)

“We did not expect this result, but we are ready to respond to this result. And my office has been preparing for this for several months because we've been here before,” James said. “We have faced this challenge before and have used the rule of law to fight back. And we are ready to fight back again because as attorney general of this great state, my job is to protect and defend the rights of New Yorkers and the rule of law. And I will not shy away from this responsibility.

Between 2019 and 2021, James said her office took nearly 100 legal actions against Trump's previous administration, including when he sought to limit state and local taxes and cut off funding and grants for law enforcement officers in New York.

James said her office also fought to protect the Affordable Care Act, prevent a citizenship question from being added to the census and stop the dismantling of the U.S. Postal Service, among other things.

She also said she knows the Trump administration's rules and has an emergency plan in place to respond to any attack on the state.

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“We stand ready to respond to any attempts to reduce or eliminate funding for the great state of New York, as the governor has outlined,” James said. “Despite all that has happened on the national stage, we will continue to stand firm in the face of injustice, revenge or retaliation.”

“This is not the time to be fearful, New York, but to be faithful and steadfast, knowing that as Attorney General, I, along with my entire team, am guardians of the law and ready, my friends, to fight back,” added them added.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on the matter.