New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing intense criticism and calls for her resignation following a horrific incident on a Brooklyn subway train, where a Guatemalan migrant allegedly set a woman on fire. The accused, 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, has been charged with first- and second-degree murder, along with arson, after the tragic attack aboard the F train.
The incident, which took place on the same day Hochul shared a social media post touting improvements in subway safety, has sparked outrage from across the political spectrum. In the post, Hochul highlighted the deployment of the National Guard to assist the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), as well as the installation of cameras on subway cars. She claimed that crime in the subway system was on the decline and that ridership was increasing as a result.
However, the tragic killing, which occurred in the middle of the day, led to backlash. Rep. Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat, sharply criticized Hochul’s tone-deaf post, sharing it alongside a scathing comment. “Two hours ago, Kathy Hochul took a victory lap for making subways ‘safer.’ She congratulates herself on the same day two subway riders were stabbed in Queens (one in the face and one in the chest) and another was barbarically burned alive. Has there ever been a more tone-deaf Governor in the history of New York?” Torres wrote.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk also weighed in on the controversy, reposting Torres’ statement with the comment, “Insane. She should be recalled.”
In a similar vein, Brooklyn state Assemblyman Dov Hikind called for the governor to resign immediately. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Hikind said, “We all witnessed the horrible tragedy on the F train. I am calling on Gov. Hochul, I’m begging and pleading with you to resign now. This job is just beyond you.”
Hikind’s comments also highlighted the governor’s misplaced priorities, pointing to the fact that she posted about subway safety the day before the fatal attack. “Unfortunately, in New York, there is no recall, so I’m asking you to do the right thing,” he continued. “You took pictures the day before the tragedy telling New York how safe the subways were. How pathetic.”
The incident, in which the woman was reportedly burned alive, has shocked the city, adding fuel to ongoing concerns about subway safety. Critics argue that while the governor’s initiatives to improve subway security were well-intended, her failure to respond effectively to the escalating crime rates has led to a tragic loss of life.
At the time of writing, the calls for Hochul’s resignation continue to grow louder, with both public officials and members of the general public expressing their discontent over her handling of the situation. Whether or not Hochul will address these calls for her resignation remains uncertain, but it is clear that the incident has raised serious questions about her leadership on public safety in New York City.
Sources By Agencies
