New York Dem Gov Kathy Hochul says she’s open to working with Donald Trump after ‘cordial’ phone call

It is debatable whether that newfound cooperation can encompass more than just infrastructure grants, especially after New York Attorney General Letitia James promised "fight back once again" against a Trump administration just as it has against Trump as a private citizen, Fox News noted.

"It was a very cordial call, and listen, I said I’ll work with anybody," Hochul said in Puerto Rico Friday, according to Politico. She said the phone call was just basic political goodwill, noting that she ”basically just reaffirmed there are areas we can work together, like infrastructure, where we rely on federal money, and he seems to share my priorities."

New York state needs federal funding for a variety of projects, especially for its semiconductor plant near Syracuse. House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) has put that cooperation in jeopardy. Hochul is committed to extending the Second Avenue Subway in Manhattan and to major upgrades to Penn Station, a busy but outdated transit hub. "I want Penn Station to be something that we’re all proud of. I said it can be beautiful. And he agreed," she said of Trump.

Trump wants to turn New York City and the state away from being captives to government money. But he could be on a collision course with Hochul who said she will be "unrelenting in protecting the rights of New Yorkers." The city council is increasingly at odds with the governor over the status of illegal immigrants in NYC.

On Wednesday, following Trump’s election win, Hochul and James returned to their shared themes of promoting abortion, mass immigration, gun control and LGBTQ rights.

Hochul has tried to suggest that she knew nothing about her principal political aide being tied to the Chinese Communist Party.