New York Governor Kathy Hochul appeared on “Fox News Sunday” to discuss the state’s redistricting process and respond to criticism from both Republicans and Democrats regarding potential changes to congressional district maps.
During the interview, host Shannon Bream referenced concerns raised by Congressman Mike Lawler and others about the possibility of mid-decade redistricting in New York. Lawler had stated that voters approved an independent redistricting commission in 2014 and did not want partisan gerrymandering or frequent map changes. Bream asked Hochul whether there were plans to bypass the state constitution or seek a new amendment.
Hochul responded, “You know what, Shannon? These times call for fighting fire with fire. We didn’t ask for this fight. I’m busy governing the State of New York, focusing on public safety and affordability. But why are we here today?
Because Donald Trump looked at the polls for next year and they realize based on their failed policies, which are hurting New Yorkers and people all across this country, the tariffs did not create jobs. They now have 2 million people more — 2 billion more on unemployment. We have Medicaid costs that are being taken away from people. There are going to be millions of people without healthcare. The cost of everything’s going up.
I was at a Target yesterday. Parents are worried about back to school shopping. So what they saw was — they said, ‘Wait a minute, we’re going to lose power because they actually don’t like our policies,’ — even in purple and red districts, because I know what I’m talking about.
I used to represent the most Republican district in Congress just a few years ago. I know how they feel. They know they’re going to lose next year. So now they’re desperate. It’s like, okay, let’s look around the country. Let’s demand, not ask, but demand Greg Abbott follow like a lap dog. Donald Trump’s order to give him five seats. That’s why we’re here today.”
Bream pressed further on whether there would be an attempt to ignore or amend the state constitution regarding redistricting.
Hochul replied: “No. We’ll put it to the people. We amend constitutions. We just did it a few years ago. We can put it to the people, but I think the people of this state — after what they’re seeing when there’s one party domination in Washington and how our costs are going up, we’re losing jobs and people are suffering. They’re going to want us to use every tool in the arsenal to fight back, and that’s what I intend to do.”
The conversation also addressed previous court rulings against Democratic-drawn maps in New York following accusations that those maps violated rules regarding contiguousness and transparency.
When Bream noted that courts had ruled against those maps despite being drawn by Democrats appointed by Democratic governors, Hochul maintained: “No, we followed the rules. We do it every 10 years. We based on the census.” When asked if she thought the court was wrong she reiterated: “Well, we followed the rules.”
She added: “Well, we went back and redrew the maps. We followed the process and here we are, and we didn’t intend to do this again until the 2032 elections, but because we’re in a different situation altogether, that demands that leaders stand up and say, ‘I’m not going to let our democracy be eroded away because there’s a blatant power grab to maintain power in our nation’s capital.’
This is what I call a legal insurrection… Just Texas knock it off; we’ll knock it off… We’re New Yorkers; we fight back.”
Discussion turned toward immigration policy after Vice President J.D Vance criticized states like New York for allegedly benefiting from including undocumented immigrants in population counts used for congressional apportionment.
Addressing these claims Hochul said: “Boy they’re really stretching hard to justify this power grab aren’t they? …We don’t support open borders number one… Stop finding all these other excuses… All you want to do is keep control of power in Washington because you know it’s slipping away…”
Later Bream mentioned praise Hochul received within her party for opposing former President Trump’s efforts related to Texas’ congressional seats allocation as well as comments from Zohran Mamdani supporting her stance despite past differences between them.
Hochul commented: “We still have many differences… He can agree with me —and many people agree with me… And I think it’s not just Democrats who say New Yorkers stand up for our rights… But let me tell you this there’s many areas of disagreement but also there’s areas of alignment including affordability…
So my job as governor of State of New York I’ve worked with two already—two different mayors I’ll continue work with whomever voters want me too …my job is calm things down …we need start finding ways make life more affordable for New Yorkers.”
The interview concluded with Bream thanking Hochul for her time.
