NBC’s government affairs reporter Melissa Russo sat down with the Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, for a one-on-one interview last week.
During the interview, Hochul was questioned by Russo regarding the gubernatorial debate that took place last month and the rising crime rates in New York.
Recall that Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin won the debate with Democrat Kathy Hochul.
Zeldin performed well throughout the debate and hammered Hochul on New York’s crime problem.
Russo: You said during the debate that Lee Zeldin is trying to scare voters. Does that mean that you think he’s exaggerating the crime problem?
Hochul: I think he is trying to scare voters and not offer a legitimate plan. You cannot say you’re tough on crime and be soft on guns.
Russo: And you often pivot to that point. But I’m just wondering, are you saying that he’s creating a worse impression of crime…
Hochul: No, what I’m saying is he does not have a serious crime plan…
Russo: Is there more to do on bail reform?
Hochul: I took strong steps. I gave more discretion to judges, more power to district attorneys. It’s been in place a few months. I want it to work, but I’m absolutely willing to look at it all over again in the next session, if you find out that there’s areas still weakness.
NBC conducted informal interviews with New Yorkers to gauge public opinion on Hochul’s approach to the city’s rising crime rate; the responses were mostly negative.
“I care about Kathy Hochul being elected. I’m nervous about that because she wasn’t voted in,” One New Yorker told NBC.
“Bad people are going to get their hands on guns no matter how many laws you write. That’s why they’re bad people because they don’t follow the rules,” one man said.
“What is she doing? Making a mess. People are getting released on charges they should be in jail,” another woman told NBC.
Russo then asked Hochul about the subject of nonviolent crimes.
Russo: Not that long ago in New York, in our city, crime was down, incarceration was down, stop and frisk was down. How is it okay that we’re now seeing people who commit a dozen burglaries face zero consequences?
Hochul: That’s not okay. It’s not okay. That’s why I need the system to work with the laws we put in place. We changed the laws. Repeat offenders need to be held.
Then NBC fact-checked Hochul’s claim on released repeat offenders.
“But despite Hochul’s changes, repeat offenders are still being released because New York’s new laws still require judges to use the least restrictive bail. Meaning, even when bail is set, it’s set low,” NBC said.
Watch the video below:
New York Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul is fact-checked on released repeat offenders.
“Repeat offenders are still being released.” pic.twitter.com/pzmzlQdPT4
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 5, 2022
The Gateway Pundit previously reported that a mother of three was murdered in front of her children. Adam Bennefield was out of jail less than 24 hours after allegedly beating his estranged wife, Keaira Bennefield, thanks to failed New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s Less is More Act.
Despite the brutal assault and because he only faced misdemeanor charges, he was not allowed to be held under the New York State Penal Code bail law. The misdemeanors included third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree menacing and second-degree unlawful imprisonment.
Keaira’s mother, Tammy Hudson, placed the blame squarely on Hochul’s shoulders. Hudson asserts that Hochul’s support for the no-cash bail law directly led to her daughter’s tragic murder. She told told the Post, “She should be charged for the crime. She’s also responsible for the crime.”
A mom of a slain New York teen also called out Hochul for being soft on crime and bail reform.
“The bail reform is not working…we have criminals coming out of jail, out of prison,” the mom said.
Watch the video below:
Mom of slain New York teen calls out Democrat Kathy Hochul for being soft-on-crime and bail reform.
“The bail reform is not working…we have criminals coming out of jail, out of prison” pic.twitter.com/ZuLtxgfYK8
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) November 4, 2022
Dear Reader - The enemies of freedom are choking off the Gateway Pundit from the resources we need to bring you the truth. Since many asked for it, we now have a way for you to support The Gateway Pundit directly - and get ad-reduced access. Plus, there are goodies like a special Gateway Pundit coffee mug for supporters at a higher level. You can see all the options by clicking here - thank you for your support!
