'Nothing to Worry About': Kathy Hochul Tries to Reassure Businesses After Outrageous Trump Verdict

http://twitchy.com/grateful-calvin/2024/02/18/nothing-to-worry-about-kathy-hochul-tries-to-reassure-businesses-after-trump-verdict-n2393068

Grasping Kathy

Earlier today, we wrote about New York Attorney General Letitia James' horrible, arrogant tweet gloating over the outrageous verdict handed down by Judge Arthur Engoron, ordering Donald Trump to pay a $355 million penalty for overvaluing Mar-A-Lago in loan applications.

We talked about the potential for karma to hit James and New York after her juvenile bragging, but at least a little bit of karma may already be coming soon in the form of VERY nervous businesses in the state of New York.

Governor Kathy Hochul at least seems to be a little concerned that some businesses -- particularly real estate developers -- might not be looking to invest in her state after witnessing Engoron's ruling.

The Hill (@thehill) ~ Kathy Hochul tells NY businesses not to fear about Trump verdict: "Nothing to worry about"

http://trib.al/x6TU4wf

Nope, nothing to see here. Hochul promises that they will never go after you like they did Trump. Scout's honor. Assuming you are an obedient Democrat, that is. But what about businesses run by conservatives? Are they safe from judges like Engoron?

The Hill provides more details:

[i]New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) addressed New York business owners in a new interview and told them there was “nothing to worry about� after former President Trump was hit with a $355 million fine and a ban on conducting business in New York for three years.

Hochul joined John Catsimatidis on 'The Cats Roundtable' on WABC 770 AM, where she was asked if other New York businesspeople should be worried that if 'they can do that to the former president, they can do that to anybody.'

'I think that this is really an extraordinary, unusual circumstance that the law-abiding and rule-following New Yorkers who are business people have nothing to worry about, because they’re very different than Donald Trump and his behavior,' Hochul responded.

To steal from a popular meme ... 'Sure, Jan.'

But, in trying to make sure businesses don't flee her state (any more than they already are, that is), did Hochul accidentally say the quiet part out loud?

@amuse (@amuse) ~ New York’s Democrat governor assures real estate developers that they won’t be targeted for real estate valuations like Trump. She just admitted it was a purely partisan political prosecution of Trump. h/t @JRobFromMN

Choominati - Picture $8 Blue Check In This Spot (@formeret) ~ Any business that believes her is foolish. What happens if you don't give a favorable loan to the "favored class?" Or you're the next threat to the Dem establishment? There is no "one exception" to the rule of law, that's the whole point of it and its meaningless otherwise.

DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) ~ Do not - I repeat - do NOT make real estate deals in New York. If you piss off some Democrat they will bankrupt you for purely political reasons. This BS judgment against Trump is going to severely damage New York’s economy.

USMC Lady Vet (@Arkypatriot) ~ Well, this proves it.

If nothing else, Hochul just gave Trump's attorneys a HUGE boost in their appeal arguments.

At worst, companies and developers are going to think twice about any new investments in New York.

Jonathan Turley, the law professor who was shocked at the Engoron verdict, interestingly also wrote a piece for The Hill where he argued that this is EXACTLY what is likely to happen, no matter what Hochul says.

Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) ~ Gov. Hochul just assured businesses that there is “nothing to worry about� after the $355 million public execution of the Trump Corp. Drawing new businesses to the city is going to be about as easy as selling country estates during the French Revolution.

http://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/4473974-obscene-award-against-trump-is-testing-the-new-york-legal-systems-integrity/

Turley argues that playing loose with real estate values is a longstanding practice in New York, and rarely prosecuted because it tends to be victimless, assuming the loans are paid back. By singling out Trump AND handing down an obscenely excessive penalty (even though his loans against Mar-A-Lago were paid back on time), James and Engoron set a dangerous precedent that other businesses will notice.

From Turley's opinion piece:

The impact on New York business is likely to be dire. New York is already viewed as a hostile business environment, with the top end of its tax base literally heading south as taxes and crime rises. This draconian award is only going to deepen concerns over the arbitrary application of the law by figures like James, who previously sought to disband the National Rifle Association. (She has shown less interest in cracking down on liberal organizations like Black Lives Matter or the National Action Network of Al Sharpton despite their own major financial scandals.)

As James gleefully uses this law to break up a major New York corporation, it is hard to imagine many businesses rushing to the Big Apple. This follows Democratic politicians such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) campaigning against Amazon seeking to open new facilities in the city. After this week, drawing new businesses to the city is going to be about as easy as selling country estates during the French Revolution.

Ironically, Turley points out that it may require the United States Supreme Court -- an institution that the left currently despises -- to save New York from itself. If SCOTUS (or the New York Supreme Court) determines Engoron's ruling to be excessive (gee, you think?), then businesses might get some reassurance that they won't be treated the same way if they step out of line even an inch.

Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) ~ ... Of course, Hochul's assurance suggests the obvious: you do not have to fear a similar fate if you are not Trump in New York. That is precisely the problem.

It is really remarkable that neither Hochul nor James can see this. But that's what happens when you are overwhelmed with hate so much that you promise to 'Get Trump' in your election campaign.

The Alan Sanders Show (@AlanJSanders) ~ It also, in my mind, confirms that they only wanted to target, Donald Trump, thus proving the point that it was a political hit job and not an actual crime that they were interested in prosecuting equally across-the-board.

Uncommon Sense (@Uncommonsince76) ~ If the state can be weaponized against one man, it can be weaponized against any man.

Kentucky Whig Party (@KYWhig) ~ When government tells you there's nothing to worry about, there's something to worry about.

Yep. That's pretty much axiomatic. It should be etched in stone somewhere (we're thinking above every state house and governor's mansion in the country, not to mention the U.S. Capitol and the White House).

Brian's Captivating Thoughts (@ChooseFreewill3) ~ Exactly. Yes @KathyHochul we know Trump was singled out for political persecution, but thanks for confirming. I guess as long as all the other development firms stay in line, they'll be safe?

Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) ~ Hochul and the Marxist NY courts know they've revealed themselves for the totalitarians they are--and if businesses aren't fleeing New York, they're utterly mad.

If their best employees aren't leaving in droves they're just not paying attention. The courts are brimming with legal talent like Engoron, leftist, clownish fools everywhere. Last business out of New York, turn off the lights. Democracy doesn't die in darkness, it dies in a New York courtroom. Everyday.

And they will have only themselves to blame. (But they'll probably try to blame Trump for losing businesses anyway. It's just what they do.)

Oscar Von Reuenthal (@OscarVReuenthal) ~ If I were a real estate developer in New York, I'd be pulling out as quickly as I could. I've seen the "oh, this is only going to happen once, you've got nothing to worry about" play before ...

Cardinal Curmudgeon (@Gimblin) ~ "Look, this vas a political prosecution. So long as YOUR business toes ze line, you'll be fine. Ve have good understanding, Herr CEO, Ja!?" - Governor Hochul

LOL. OK, not everything needs to be compared to Nazi Germany, but there is some historical accuracy here. The Nazis only allowed businesses to be run privately if the business owners were loyal members of the party. Otherwise, that ownership was replaced ... sehr schnell.

Political Sock (@politicalsock) ~ “We only do this if you resist. Just don’t resist.� ~ Every authoritarian in history

Just comply with everything they say and you will be fine. Sounds like a great slogan to attract new investment.

Steve Culy, Banana Republic Maquisard (@charcware) ~ Money goes where it's treated best.

Ain't that just the plain and simple truth?

We've already seen Elon Musk act to move Tesla from Delaware to Texas after a Delaware judge voided his $56 billion pay package (which he earned by meeting ridiculously ambitious targets for the company).

Unless Engoron's decision is overturned on appeal, expect many more businesses and developers to follow suit and avoid New York as much as possible.

But hey. At least Letitia James will still have her smug tweet.

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Remington Closing New York Plant, Which Opened in 1828
http://www.breitbart.com/2nd-amendment/2023/12/01/remington-closing-new-york-plant-opened-1828/

Renowned American shotgun maker Remington Arms is closing its facility in Ilion, New York, nearly 200 years after it opened. ...

News Channel 2 noted that New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo (R), Assemblyman Brian Miller (R), and Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R) released a joint statement in response to the announced closure. The statement said:

Remington’s reported decision to close its Ilion plant next year is concerning and unfortunate. This facility, which received investment from the state, employs many local residents. Unfortunately, like we have seen all too often in New York, burdensome regulations, crippling taxes and problematic energy and other policies continue to force businesses and companies to flee the state, taking jobs and livelihoods with them. We will continue to communicate with state and federal officials and work to help and assist the company’s employees and their families during this difficult time. ...

The essential American soul is hard, isolate, stoic, and a killer. It has never yet melted. ~ D.H. Lawrence