Governor Kathy Hochul published an op-ed in Empire Report addressing the recent rise in political violence across the United States. In her piece, she referenced several high-profile incidents, including assassination attempts and attacks on political figures such as President Trump, Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, State Senator John Hoffman, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Governor Josh Shapiro. She also mentioned the violent events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 and the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
“These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a disturbing and increasingly common pattern of political violence. And unless we take action, it won’t stop here,” Hochul wrote.
The governor pointed to the role of rhetoric and social media in escalating tensions: “In an age defined by viral rhetoric and algorithmic amplification, the line between speech and violence has become increasingly blurred. Social media algorithms reward provocative, emotionally charged content. And as a result, extremist narratives are shared, liked, and recommended — not because they are truthful, but because they drive engagement.”
Hochul discussed how perpetrators of violence are often described as “lone wolves,” which allows those who may have influenced them through rhetoric to avoid responsibility. She rejected claims that her stance was an attack on free speech: “Some will argue that this is an attack on free speech. I call B.S. The First Amendment protects citizens from government censorship, but it does not shield those of us in the public spotlight from accountability. Freedom of expression should not become a smokescreen for promoting hate or encouraging violence.”
She called for leaders to moderate their language and for Americans to hold them accountable: “First, leaders must commit to toning down their rhetoric, and everyday Americans must hold us all accountable. There should be consequences at the ballot box and in the court of public opinion when we don’t.”
The governor highlighted New York’s approach to preventing violence through local Threat Assessment and Management (TAM) teams made up of law enforcement officers, mental health professionals, school officials, employers, public safety agencies, and health care systems working together to identify potential threats before they escalate.
“52 counties plus New York City now field TAM teams and have collectively intervened in more than 2,000 cases. Considering the rage and vitriol that is flooding the internet and airwaves, our objective is to prevent violence before it occurs — responding after the fact isn’t enough,” Hochul stated.
She reflected on national unity following September 11th: “This week I stood on sacred ground to honor the lives of those lost 24 years ago on 9/11. I thought about what happened on September 12, 2001, when — in the face of unspeakable horror — our nation’s greatest strength was its unity.”
Hochul concluded with a call for unity against political violence: “I urge New Yorkers and Americans to harken back to that same sense of unifying purpose. Political violence has no place in America. A democracy thrives on debate, not bloodshed.” She emphasized hope for national cohesion despite current challenges.
