Election 2024: Gov. Kathy Hochul vows to protect New York's freedoms and discusses path forward after 2024 presidential election

NEW YORK (WABC) – Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke to New Yorkers about the state's path forward after the 2024 presidential election is called for Donald Trump.

Hochul spoke with New York Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday from her city office in Manhattan.

During the press conference, Hochul congratulated President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance on their election victory and praised Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for their hard-fought campaigns. She also congratulated State Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on her victory and other newly elected and re-elected Democratic members of Congress.

The governor said New York will recognize the results of the presidential election and work with anyone who wants to help achieve its goals, but the state will not accept an agenda from Washington that strips New Yorkers of their rights.

“This is the birthplace of the women’s rights movement, the environmental justice movement, the LGBTQ rights movement and the American labor movement. With that as part of our history, our story, New York will remain a bastion for freedom and the rule of law,” said Hochul.

In a glimmer of hope, Hochul pointed out that a majority of New York voted for the Equal Rights Amendment, also known as Proposition 1.

Hochul said she launched the Empire State Freedom Initiative, which focuses on key areas that could face challenges from the new presidential administration, such as reproductive rights, civil rights and immigration policy. She added that her administration will work with AG James' office and other government officials to keep New Yorkers informed of their efforts to protect their freedoms.

“We have faced this challenge before and we are using the rule of law to fight it. And we are ready to fight back again because as attorney general of this great state, it is my job to protect and defend the rights of New York and the rule of law, and I will not shy away from that responsibility,” said James.

The governor and attorney general's comments came after New York City Mayor Eric Adams held his own press conference on Wednesday in which he also pledged to fight for the rights of New Yorkers.

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