Gov. Hochul endorses Mamdani
Governor Kathy Hochul endorsed Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani in New York City’s heated mayoral election via a New York Times guest essay last Sunday. In her endorsement letter, Hochul said their shared goals of creating a safer and affordable city overrode their previous disagreements.
“In our conversations, I heard a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family,” Hochul wrote. “I heard a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable — a goal I enthusiastically support.”
She said that after months of discussion, both parties reached a common consensus on issues including strengthening the New York City Police Department, combatting antisemitism and protecting small businesses, as well as opposing President Donald Trump’s attack on Medicaid and food assistance programs.
Hochul’s letter also criticized candidates who she said may cave to Trump’s “tainted influence or benefits.” The statement comes after former Governor Andrew Cuomo was allegedly enthusiastic about Trump’s prospective support. Edward F. Cox, the chairman of the New York Republican State Committee, condemned Hochul for endorsing “an avowed communist.”
Despite the move being viewed as one that could foster more Democratic support from young progressives, Hochul could clash with many of her more moderate donors, who are targeted by Mamdani’s plans to tax wealthy New Yorkers. The decision could also act as a double-edged sword in Hochul’s 2026 re-election: If Mamdani wins, it could earn her votes from his civically engaged base, as well as criticism from her Republican opponent, Rep. Elise Stefanik.
Judge drops terror-related charges against Luigi Mangione
A New York State judge dropped terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, deciding that murder driven by ideological motives does not fit the definition of terrorism.
Judge Gregory Carro deemed the top charges against Mangione, including one for first-degree murder as an act of terrorism, to be “legally insufficient.” Mangione — who is suspected of killing then-UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December — is still facing charges for second-degree murder, among nine other violations, in New York, Pennsylvania and federal courts.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg argued that the terror charges were justified because the shooting caused “attention and intimidation.” However, Mangione’s lawyers asserted that such charges would “trivialize and redefine” the definition of terrorism. Under New York State law, terrorism charges apply when a person “[intends] to intimidate or coerce a civilian population.”
The rest of Mangione’s charges could result in 15 years to life in prison, with the possibility of parole — something that would not have been possible before the terrorism charges were dropped. He is also facing a possible death penalty from the federal court.
In a court filing on Saturday, Mangione’s lawyers argued that the high-profile case is riddled with “prejudice from multiple public officials,” violating his constitutional rights to receive a fair trial and jeopardizing the judges’ abilities to ethically issue a death penalty. They also pointed to commentary from Attorney General Pam Bondi — who encouraged prosecutors to pursue the death penalty for Mangione — arguing that the penalty is being considered based on “politics, not merit.”
11 city officials arrested in Federal Plaza
Department of Homeland Security officers arrested 11 Democratic city officials, including New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, and 71 protesters Thursday afternoon. The group, which was released soon after the arrest, had been demanding to inspect the conditions of the ICE holding cells on Federal Plaza’s 10th floor.
The protesters partook in an hourlong sit-in outside of the holding cells before agents lined them up against the wall and restricted their hands with plastic ties. They demanded access to the rooms to ensure U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement was complying with a preliminary injunction issued last month, which ordered them to address allegations of overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.
Outside the plaza, some protesters — including New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams — blocked a garage entrance of Federal Plaza, in an effort to hinder ICE vans from transporting detainees to long-term detention centers outside of New York City. The group sat on the ground, chanted and pledged for the release of those in ICE custody.
“This afternoon I faced arrest alongside dozens of New Yorkers in a nonviolent civil disobedience to demand oversight of ICE’s inhumane detention practices,” Williams said. “Even under this creeping authoritarianism regime, I expect to be released today to go home to my family, but the people we’re fighting for don’t have that privilege, as ICE disappears and deports them.”
Lander was also arrested at Federal Plaza by the DHS in June. He allegedly assaulted and impeded a law enforcement officer while attempting to escort a defendant out of immigrant court, who agents were seeking to arrest.
Contact Leena Ahmed at [email protected].
