The Trump Administration is take a ‘no nonsense’ approach against the Democrats.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing severe backlash after her tone-deaf response to a horrific crime in the subway system just hours after a woman was tragically set on fire and killed by an illegal immigrant. Hochul’s post, which was made on social media only hours after the fatal incident, attempted to highlight subway safety improvements, but it quickly became a symbol of her failure to address the root causes of crime in the state.
In a tweet Sunday evening, Hochul boasted about recent efforts to make New York City subways safer, including the deployment of National Guard troops to help curb crime during the holiday season. “In March, I took action to make our subways safer for the millions of people who take the trains each day,” she wrote, claiming that crime was decreasing and ridership was on the rise. However, the timing of her message was widely seen as insensitive, considering the horrific incident that had just occurred.
Tom Homan, President-elect Trump’s incoming border czar, did not hold back in his criticism of the governor. Appearing on Fox & Friends, Homan slammed Hochul for her continued support of sanctuary policies in New York, which protect illegal immigrants from deportation. “Governor Hochul, shame on you,” Homan said. “There’s nothing you can say that’s going to make this right in New York.” He pointed out that this was yet another example of the deadly consequences of the Biden administration’s lenient immigration policies.
The suspect in the subway incident, identified as 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, was an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who had entered the United States during the Trump administration in 2018. Despite having no prior arrests in New York City, Zapeta had a previous arrest in Arizona. According to reports, he approached a woman on a subway train who had fallen asleep and, with a lighter in hand, set her clothes on fire. The woman was tragically consumed by flames before officers could intervene.
This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by sanctuary policies and the failure of state and federal leaders to enforce immigration laws effectively. As Homan pointed out, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been hamstrung by the Biden administration’s restrictive policies, which prioritize illegal immigrants with serious criminal records over those who pose an immediate danger. “ICE has their hands tied,” Homan stated, emphasizing that crimes like this could have been prevented if the administration had a stronger stance on illegal immigration.
Governor Hochul’s efforts to downplay the rising crime in New York are a clear indication of the disconnect between the leadership in Albany and the everyday struggles of New Yorkers. It’s time for a change. The safety of citizens should be the top priority, and until the state enforces stronger immigration laws and addresses the real issues facing its people, the residents of New York will continue to pay the price.