Trump Pledges to Aid Blakeman in Combating NY Crime, Immigration, and Energy Costs

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Former President Donald Trump declared Friday that he would swiftly assist Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman in addressing crime, illegal immigration, and energy prices in New York if Blakeman unseats Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul in the November election.

Speaking at a rally in Syracuse, Trump criticized Hochul and the Democratic party, stating, "Kathy Hochul and the radical ‘Dumocrats’ have turned New York into a national embarrassment of high cost, high crime, massive corruption and communist politicians chasing jobs and businesses and wealth … out of the state." He urged voters to "clean house in Albany on November 3rd, starting with Kathy Hochul."

Trump cited statistics on arrests of individuals he described as "migrant criminals" in New York, alleging that Hochul's policies led to their release. "In less than two years, New York has released criminal illegal aliens with charges and convictions for over 48,000 crimes," Trump stated. He also referenced a recent incident in the Bronx where a suspected gang member with a criminal record was shot by ICE, condemning politicians who he claimed defended the individual.

Trump promised that if Blakeman is elected governor, New York would no longer be a sanctuary state. "If you want to stop illegal alien criminals from being released into your communities, you must elect Bruce Blakeman and a Republican Congress and we will ban sanctuary cities and sanctuary states at long last," he asserted. He further pledged, "And if Bruce Blakeman, as your governor, calls me to help straighten out in New York City or pretty dangerous parts of this state that I know and love so much, I’ll be there within 24 hours, Bruce."

Regarding energy costs, Trump claimed that Blakeman would significantly lower electricity bills by tapping into the state's oil reserves. "Your energy bills are the highest in the nation," Trump said. "And when Bruce gets in, you’re going to go from the highest in the nation, I believe, to among the lowest in the nation — because he’s going to tap into your oil.“ He estimated that Blakeman could cut electric bills by "70%, 80% and 90%."

Blakeman, who also spoke at the rally, vowed that New York would permit fracking and cease to be a sanctuary state under his governorship. He criticized Hochul as "the most pro-criminal governor in America," attributing sanctuary city policies and cashless bail to rising crime. Blakeman also blamed Hochul for the Bronx ICE shooting incident, stating, "Kathy Hochul, we’re outraged that you would let this guy into our state and defend him."

Trump was joined on his trip to Syracuse by several political figures, including New York GOP Reps. Claudia Tenney and Nick Langworthy, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Boxing legend Mike Tyson and New York Yankees President Randy Levine also traveled with the former president.