Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he spoke to President Donald Trump about a recent spike in crime in New York City, and made a deal to thwart off the possibility of federal agents arriving to police the five boroughs.
The pair struck a deal, Cuomo said, in which Trump agreed not to send agents to New York for the time being, and to give the state a heads up if his position changed.
"We left the conversation that if the president had any additional concerns, we would talk before he took any action,” Cuomo said. "So, that was a good conversation."
Dozens of people have been killed in New York City in recent weeks, according to crime statistics. Shootings in June rivaled levels not seen in more than two decades.
Cuomo said Wednesday that he doesn’t think the crime increase has reached a level that would require additional state action. If the situation doesn’t improve, he said he’s prepared to issue a public safety emergency and divert resources to the five boroughs.
The federal government would only get involved, Cuomo said, if the state and city fail to address the crime rates.
"If the state fails to address it, then the federal government should come in," Cuomo said. "We're not there. I have not declared a public safety emergency."
Trump had warned, on Tuesday, that the federal government could send agents to New York in the coming weeks, or days, to assist members of local law enforcement. He blamed the crime increase on the left-leaning politics of New York City.
"We’re going to have more federal law enforcement, that I can tell you,” Trump said.
That sparked the phone call between Trump and Cuomo, who’s been increasingly critical of the president in recent weeks over the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cuomo didn’t say if that subject came up on the call.
Back in Albany, Republicans in the State Senate on Wednesday introduced a series of bills that would increase penalties for attacks perpetrated against members of law enforcement. Democrats, who hold the majority, weren’t expected to side with the legislation.
The package included several proposals, including tougher penalties for resisting arrest and assaulting a member of law enforcement.
Senate Republican Leader Robert Ortt, R-Niagara, suggested that Cuomo sign onto their package of bills as a way to curb crime in New York City, but also called on the governor to change the way he speaks about members of law enforcement.
“He could also change some of his rhoetic because he’s the top elected official in New York state,” Ortt said. “When he puts rhotic out there that seems to be very critical of law enforcement and in favor of looters and rioters, you’re going to see further action because of that.”
Ortt said he didn’t support federal intervention in New York state to address crime in New York City, instead calling on Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to beef up enforcement.
After George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis two months ago, Cuomo outlined a series of national proposals to improve relations between police and communities of color. Those ideas had already been introduced by Democrats in the Legislature, which approved them in June.
Lawmakers are back in Albany this week for a rare July legislative session, but weren’t expected to take up additional measures related to police.
