New York Governor Kathy Hochul's office has responded to President Donald Trump's recent executive order, which threatens to withhold federal funding from cities and states that maintain cashless bail policies. On Monday (August 25), President Trump signed the order, arguing that cashless bail policies, which began in New York, have negatively impacted crime rates.

Governor Hochul's spokesperson, Jen Goodman, criticized the order, stating that withholding federal funds would weaken law enforcement and compromise community safety. She emphasized that New York's bail laws have been modified under Governor Hochul, leading to a decrease in rearrests and holding violent offenders accountable. According to NY1, the 2020 bail reforms in New York aimed to address income disparities by eliminating bail for lower-level crimes while maintaining it for violent offenses.

President Trump's order directs the U.S. Attorney General to identify jurisdictions that have substantially eliminated cash bail and to assess federal funding that could be suspended. The White House stated that the policy is intended to protect public safety by incarcerating individuals who pose a threat.

Critics, including New York officials and legal experts, argue that the executive order may not withstand legal scrutiny. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo's spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, noted that New York still allows cash bail for violent offenses, and the executive order may not be enforceable. The New York Post reported that some officials view the order as a federal overreach into state matters.

Theresa Lucas