Governor Makes Move In Subway System
Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to deploy 750 additional National Guard members to New York City subways ahead of the holiday season has drawn praise from some quarters—and sharp criticism from others.
While the move aims to bolster safety in the city’s transit system, critics argue it’s a stopgap measure that fails to address deeper systemic issues, including the role of soft-on-crime policies and a flood of illegal migrants with criminal records.
Hochul’s initiative builds on her earlier “five-point subway safety plan,” unveiled in March, which deployed National Guard personnel and increased bag searches at busy train stations.
The governor claims these measures have created a “psychological difference” for riders, reassuring them of their safety as crime trends downward. However, the timing—coinciding with the holiday rush and ongoing criticism of rising violence—raises questions about whether this is a genuine long-term solution or a public relations play.
NY Governor Kathy Hochul is literally left speechless as a reporter demolishes her "subways are safer" lie with crime stats pic.twitter.com/cPFbxBGcF5
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 19, 2024
Critics like Fox News co-host Emily Compagno have been quick to point out the inconsistencies in Hochul’s approach. “If safety really was a priority for her,” Compagno argued, “then why didn’t she implement and enforce those policies back then?” Indeed, Hochul’s early promise to hold Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg accountable for lenient crime enforcement has largely fizzled, undermining confidence in her commitment to tackling the root causes of lawlessness.
Hochul touted reduced subway crime during her press conference, attributing the decline to her safety measures. Yet, the city continues to grapple with broader crime issues exacerbated by unchecked illegal immigration.
An ICE report earlier this month revealed that over 58,000 illegal migrants in New York City have been convicted of or face criminal charges, including more than 1,100 suspected gang members. This adds another layer of complexity to the city’s crime crisis, and critics argue that deploying the National Guard is no substitute for addressing these underlying problems.
For many, this move feels less like a proactive strategy and more like damage control. Hochul’s office is likely aware of growing public frustration with New York’s crime policies and the perception that her administration has failed to take meaningful action against progressive district attorneys and lenient criminal justice reforms. By visibly increasing law enforcement presence in the subways, she may hope to project strength and regain the trust of wary voters.
But opponents remain skeptical. The deployment, they say, does little to address the revolving-door justice system, which allows offenders to return to the streets with little consequence. Furthermore, while National Guard members and MTA police may deter crime in the short term, their presence is unlikely to resolve the deeper issues of policy failures and overburdened law enforcement agencies.