New York Governor Kathy Hochul confronted President Donald Trump on Monday. She directly challenged the administration's decision to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro without congressional approval.
During a phone call, Hochul reportedly pushed back against the "unilateral" military operation. This occurred even as Maduro arrived in Manhattan to face a federal narco-terrorism indictment.
Hochul recounted the conversation during a press conference originally intended to mark the anniversary of New York City’s congestion pricing program. She told reporters that while Maduro is a "bad guy," the President must still adhere to constitutional limits.
"I just said I disagree," Hochul said, describing the call. "You've got to go to Congress. You've got to get authority. Kind of important to do things like that."
The Governor’s remarks highlight the intensifying legal and political battle between the state of New York and the Trump administration. Beyond foreign policy, the two leaders are clashing over NYC's congestion pricing.
The White House has threatened to end the tolling program by withholding federal transportation funds. Hochul mentioned she is not afraid of "taking on the fight" with anyone who attacks the authority of the state and city.
Hochul referred to the capture as a "flagrant abuse of power." She argued that constitutional limits matter even when facing perceived threats from foreign adversaries.
The Governor also raised other priorities in her talk with Trump, including infrastructure plans for the Gateway Tunnel and Penn Station. However, the discussion quickly shifted back to the controversial military action in Caracas.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured Saturday in a high-stakes U.S. military operation. They were flown to New York and are currently being held in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
The pair were arraigned in Manhattan on Monday on charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy. Both pleaded not guilty to the counts in a case that dates back to a 2020 indictment.
The capture represents a rare instance in modern history where U.S. forces seized a foreign head of government. This has drawn global attention and raised significant questions about executive authority and international law.
Hochul’s news conference also served as a defense of New York's congestion pricing program. A federal court has already issued an injunction preventing the government from stopping the program while litigation continues.
"We feel very confident of our position in court," Hochul stated. She vowed to stand up and defend the rights of New Yorkers every day of the week.