New York politicians, including Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams, are responding to President Trump's recent executive order to end cashless bail. The order threatens to withhold federal funding from states and cities that continue to implement cashless bail policies. This move directly impacts New York, which enacted bail reform laws in 2019.

Governor Hochul criticized the order, stating that New York has not eliminated cash bail and accusing President Trump of misunderstanding the state's legal system. According to a report by Yahoo News, Hochul's spokeswoman, Jen Goodman, said, "His reckless threat to withhold federal funds would only undercut law enforcement and make our communities less safe." Hochul also noted that she has already amended the law to give judges more discretion to detain dangerous suspects.

Mayor Adams acknowledged the need to review the bail reform, saying, "We need to look at what we did with bail reform to make sure we didn't go too far in the wrong direction," as reported by AOL News. He emphasized the importance of holding repeat offenders accountable.

President Trump's order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to compile a list of jurisdictions with cashless bail policies within 30 days, potentially leading to the suspension of federal funds for these areas. The order has drawn mixed reactions, with some New York politicians, including Eric Adams and his Republican challenger Curtis Sliwa, expressing support, while others, like State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, dismissed it as a distraction.

The executive order has sparked debate about federal overreach and its constitutionality. Critics argue that the federal government should not control state functions, and the order may face legal challenges. The impact on New York's funding remains uncertain, but the state receives billions in federal aid annually.

Covino & Rich