New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing backlash after news spread that her office was considering creating a hotline for frightened executives after Luigi Mangione allegedly shot and killed the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson.
Sources said cnn Monday that Hochul’s office was considering “establishing a hotline for CEOs to call to report security concerns or threats.”
The Democratic governor announced last week that she planned to hold a virtual call with 175 businesses and their security personnel to discuss “a certain class of individuals (who) are being targeted,” she said. MSNBC.
Many expressed anger at the idea that his office would use taxpayer money to protect wealthy business leaders who might hire their own security.
‘Why the fuck would my tax money go to helping protect people who are more than capable of hiring private security?’ Fucking New York is so stupid…” wrote one user on X.
“I hope this is a joke because the special treatment for “CEOs” through 911 should show everyone who is really being served by the police,” another commented on the platform.
‘Hochul and the Democrats openly care more about CEOs than, say, schoolchildren who are at risk of massacre every day. Hochul is particularly depressing,” added a third.
“Look how quickly they act to protect CEOs but not future CEOs in schools,” another chimed in.
Sources told CNN on Monday that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office was considering “establishing a hotline for CEOs to call to report security concerns or threats.”
The executives’ concern stems from the December 4 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson (pictured below), who was shot and killed by a suspect (pictured above) believed to be Luigi Mangione in Midtown Manhattan.
Hochul’s press secretary told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that there were no plans to establish the hotline following Thompson’s death on December 4.
“There is no hotline for CEOs and that proposal was never considered by this Administration,” Avi Smalls said in an email.
Still, some who had seen the news accused the state of giving “more corporate handouts” and wasting “taxpayer money” for the security of the “CEOs of multibillion-dollar corporations.”
‘Why can’t they pay for it themselves?’ one questioned.
“I don’t think I remember this kind of state response and resources going to New York when the homicide rate skyrocketed around 2022, but I guess it was just regular people,” criticized another.
Another asked, ‘So I just file an LLC and get a special hotline and privileges?’
Hochul’s office has not publicly responded to the backlash.
The meeting with executives was said to have taken place on Tuesday and was facilitated by state Chief Operating Officer Kathryn Garcia and Partnership of New York City Executive Director Kathy Wylde, according to political.
Many expressed anger at the idea that his office would use taxpayer money to protect wealthy business leaders who might hire their own security.
Wylde said State Police, Homeland Security and counterterrorism officials would be on the call to show how intelligence can be shared to help with corporate security, Politico reported.
‘It’s a demonstration that New York truly has the most prepared and informed counterterrorism capability in the country. “There is no safer place to be,” he said.
“(Hochul) understood how serious the impact of both the assassination and the hateful reaction to it is, and wants to ensure that state resources, specifically domestic counterterrorism resources, are focused on providing support and sharing information.”
Mangione, who was detained after a multi-day manhunt, has been charged with terrorism after he allegedly killed Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel.
“This was a terrifying, well-planned and directed murder that was intended to cause shock, attention and intimidation,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Tuesday.
“It occurred in one of the busiest areas of our city and threatened the safety of local residents and tourists, commuters and business people just starting their day.”
The 26-year-old has two court hearings scheduled for Thursday in Pennsylvania, including an extradition hearing, Bragg said.
Hours after his arrest in Pennsylvania last week, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office filed documents charging him with murder and other crimes.
Partnership of New York City CEO Kathy Wylde (pictured) said State Police, Homeland Security and counterterrorism officials would be on the call with 174 companies to show how intelligence can be shared to help with security corporate.
Mangione has hired high-powered New York attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo to represent him as he faces a high-profile legal battle.
Meanwhile, her husband, Marc Agnifilo, has been representing embattled rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, who faces a series of sex trafficking charges.
Mangione grew up in a prominent and wealthy Maryland family and spent his life attending prestigious private schools, earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Police have not revealed the motive for the fatal attack, but many speculate it has to do with a back injury suffered by Mangione.