Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) said New York would hire FBI employees who leave their positions as a result of the Trump administration’s speculated trimming of the agency.
Hochul made the remarks at a New York State Police Academy graduation on Thursday after touting the state’s increased funding and manpower to the state police.
“I’m going to extend an invitation to a member of the FBI who’s looking for a job in the state of New York,” she said. “You join us. It’d be an honor for you to join us, and it’d be an honor for us to have you.”
“So, I want to put that out there to anybody who’s listening. Law enforcement, people who care about their community, who are willing to put themselves in harm’s way, are priceless to us. … Come join us, be a part of this elite group, and you will not be disappointed.”
Hochul said FBI members “may be facing the loss of their jobs despite their training, despite their love of country.”
The agency recently provided the Justice Department with employee names who worked on Jan. 6-related cases.
There was fear within the agency that the Trump administration could retaliate against those who worked on Jan. 6 cases, though no mass firings have taken place. Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s nominee for FBI director, has vowed not to enact political retribution against members of the agency.
“All FBI employees will be protected against political retribution,” Patel said last week.
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove told the FBI workforce that agents who carried out their investigations in an “ethical manner” would not be fired.
“Let me be clear: No FBI employee who simply followed orders and carried out their duties in an ethical manner with respect to Jan. 6 investigations is at risk of termination or other penalties,” he said.
Hochul’s offer to hire fired agents could be serious.
The New York State Police has faced recruiting shortages in recent years. President of the New York State Police Investigators Association Timothy Dymond said in November 2023 that only 12,000 people signed up that year for the state police exam. He said when he started his career in 2005, “30,000-plus” signed up to take the exam.
New York has more than 3,500 uniformed state police troopers. These police officers are responsible for patrolling the country’s 27th-largest state by land area and reinforcing local police departments, along with the New York City Police Department.
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Thursday’s graduation increased the number of sworn members of the state police to 5,034, with 176 new graduates.
“I commend these 176 new troopers for dedicating themselves to public service, and their commitment to protecting the people of New York State,” Hochul said in a statement. “The members of the New York State Police put their lives on the line each day to keep the rest of us safe — in a world where their mission has grown more challenging and complex. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to thank the graduates for their hard work and perseverance — and welcome them to the long gray line.”