New York Governor Kathy Hochul asked Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia if being a Democrat was “illegal” in her country during a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing on Thursday.
In the hearing, Hochul and Democratic governors were questioned over statewide policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Greene asked the New York governor, “You stated that you’re a proud registered Democrat?” Hochul then quipped, “Yes. Is that illegal now, too, in your country?”
The Georgia representative laughed, then said, “This is not a laughing matter.”
Greene: You stated that you’re a proud registered Democrat?Hochul: Yes. Is that illegal now too in your country?Greene: *laughs* This is not a laughing matter. pic.twitter.com/PoFBGjMbRG
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 12, 2025
During another exchange, Greene paused during her remarks about murdered Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, and asked Hochul, “Are you smiling at me? You look like you’ve got quite a smile on your face.”
Hochul said, “No. I’m thinking about her parents. Don’t question how I look. My heart is breaking for her parents.”
The conservative firebrand also said that Hochul is complicit in the death of Riley, who was killed by Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national who had been previously detained for offenses and then released in New York before going to Georgia.
“This little girl right here would be alive today if you weren’t such a treasonous governor supporting sanctuary laws … The Department of Justice should prosecute you for her murder,” Greene said.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Says Gov. Kathy Hochul is Complicit in the Death of Laken Riley“This little girl right here would be alive today if you weren’t such a treasonous governor supporting sanctuary laws … The Department of Justice should prosecute you for her murder.”… pic.twitter.com/LUCwlm3KnZ
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) June 12, 2025
Why It Matters
As tensions escalate between President Donald Trump and Democratic governors over immigration enforcement, the House committee scrutinized sanctuary policies in Democratic-led states.
While there is no formal legal definition of a “sanctuary jurisdiction,” the term typically refers to state or local governments that limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Courts have previously upheld the legality of such policies.
However, the Trump administration has challenged these measures in court, filing lawsuits against states like Colorado, Illinois, and New York, as well as cities including Chicago and Rochester, arguing that their policies conflict with the U.S. Constitution or federal immigration law.
The hearing also comes amid Trump’s deployment this week of the National Guard and Marines to safeguard federal buildings and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel in Los Angeles. California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has criticized the move, accusing Trump of waging “a war” on the foundations of American democracy.
What To Know
Hochul was joined by Illinois’ J.B. Pritzker and Minnesota’s Tim Walz as the governors testified amid sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers, who highlighted violent crimes allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants. The committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer, used high-profile cases and visual displays to argue that sanctuary policies—local or state rules limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities—put American lives at risk.
Throughout the hearing, Republican members cited cases involving undocumented individuals accused of serious crimes, claiming local policies prevented federal immigration action.
The session often devolved into heated exchanges, with interruptions and accusations dominating much of the discourse. At one point, Republican Rep. Pete Stauber of Minnesota erupted at Walz, accusing the former vice-presidential candidate of “stolen valor” because of discrepancies in his public statements about his military service. Democratic Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico criticized the tone, calling it political theater.
Hochul defended her state’s policies and condemned the Trump administration’s decision to deploy National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to protests, calling it a “flagrant abuse of power.” Hochul clarified that while New York prohibits civil immigration enforcement, state law enforcement cooperates with ICE in criminal cases. Since taking office in 2021, she said the state has transferred over 1,300 incarcerated noncitizens to federal custody upon completing their sentences.
Some of the most heated moments of the hearing occurred between Hochul and Republican lawmakers from her own state. Rep. Elise Stefanik—mentioned as a potential candidate for New York governor in 2026—cited cases in which she claimed individuals were raped, molested, or burned alive by immigrants who had entered or remained in the U.S. without legal authorization.
Hochul said the crimes were “horrific” and “heartbreaking” and insisted “we cooperate with ICE; we cooperate with law enforcement” in criminal cases.
What People Are Saying
Democratic Rep. Stansbury said: “Welcome everyone to the Oversight reality TV show. “I know Mr. Trump loves himself some good TV, and today is not disappointing.”
Stefanik said to Hochul while interrupting the governor’s attempted responses: “You are not advocating on behalf of these victims, you are shielding illegals.”
Hochul said during her remarks: “As we speak, an American city has been militarized over the objections of their governor. At the outset, I just want to say that this is a flagrant abuse of power.”
What Happens Next
The hearing followed similar sessions earlier this year and marks the continued focus of the Republican-led Oversight Committee on immigration and sanctuary policies, a key issue ahead of the 2026 and 2028 elections.
This article contains reporting by The Associated Press.
Update: 6/12/25, 7:14 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 6/12/25, 7:43 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and remarks.
Update: 6/12/25, 7:48 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and remarks.
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