Hochul and AG James are committed to protecting the rights of New Yorkers

Gov. Kathy Hochul said Wednesday she would work with President-elect Donald Trump to advance important projects, but also vowed to “fight” any attempts to restrict New Yorkers' rights.

Speaking in Manhattan alongside New York Attorney General Letitia James, the governor called on the new president to restore the federal deduction for state and local tax payments and support a range of government improvement efforts.

“President-elect Trump must repeal his elimination of the state and local tax deduction. It must also support our ongoing efforts to support our transit, the Gateway Tunnel and the Second Avenue subway, and fund critical critical infrastructure, particularly the MTA,” Hochul said. “And also to support our critical economic development projects, such as those funded by the CHIPS and Science Act, which aims to bring manufacturing home from China and South Asia and create thousands of jobs in our state, as in Micron is the case.” ”

“And I will work with him or anyone regardless of party on such efforts that I know will benefit New York State,” she added. “However, if you seek to harm New Yorkers or restrict their rights, I will fight you every step of the way.”

James, meanwhile, congratulated Trump but also vowed to “protect and defend the rights of New Yorkers and the rule of law.”

“If possible, we will work with his government, but we will not compromise our values, our integrity and our principles,” she said. “We did not expect this outcome, but we are ready to respond to this outcome and my office has been preparing for this for several months because we have been here before, we have faced this challenge before and we are turning the rule of law to defend themselves.”

James said her office took “nearly 100 legal actions” against the previous Trump administration between 2019 and 2021, including disputes over caps on SALT deductions, immigration policy and LGBTQ+ rights.

“We will continue to protect the most vulnerable and marginalized among us because it is my sworn duty and responsibility to lead this fight, working with the Governor of this great state, Kathy Hochul,” she said. “This is not the time to be fearful, New York, but to be faithful and steadfast.”