What Donald Trump's projected win in the 2024 presidential election means for New Yorkers
NEW YORK -- As former President Donald Trump has been projected the winner of the 2024 presidential election, many New Yorkers are wondering what his second term might mean for abortion rights, immigration policies and more.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Mayor Eric Adams waited only hours after the election to announce how they plan to cope with concerns over Trump's campaign proposals that could hurt New Yorkers.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, AG Letitia James react
Gov. Kathy Hochul congratulated Trump before addressing New Yorkers who are concerned about what his election could mean for the Empire State.
"I want to reassure all New Yorkers, and I know for many of you this is not the electoral result you had hoped for, but I will say this. We have weathered storms before. We have overcome pandemics. We've had to, in the aftermath of tremendous job losses, create thousands of jobs. After seeing huge spikes in crime, we had to reduce the crime rate dramatically. And after losing so many jobs to overseas, we are now on the cusp of creating a new revolution, bringing more jobs from places like China - all of this just in the last few years since I took office. That's why I have the confidence in my team and all those we work closely with that we will get through the uncertainty of a new administration in Washington," she said. "We've done this before. We've been through this."
Hochul said the state will work with anyone looking to be a partner with New York.
"That does not mean we will accept an agenda from Washington that strips away rights that New Yorkers have long enjoyed," she said. "This is the birthplace of the women's rights movement, the environmental justice movement, the LGBTQ rights movement, and the American labor movement. With that as part of our history, our story, New York will remain a bastion for freedom and rule of law."
Hochul challenged Trump to repeal his prior elimination of the State and Local Tax deduction, or SALT. She also called on him to support New York's transit system, including the MTA, Gateway Tunnel, Second Avenue Subway and more.
The governor also had a blunt message for Trump.
"If you try to harm New Yorkers, or roll back their rights, I will fight you every step of the way," she said.
"I congratulate the president-elect Donald Trump, and, if possible, we will work with his administration, but we will not compromise our values, or our integrity, or our principles," Attorney General Letitia James added. "We did not expect this result, but we are prepared to respond to this result. My office has been preparing for months, because we have been here before. We have faced this challenge before, and we used the rule of law to fight back, and we are prepared to fight back once again."
James said that between 2019-2021 the Office of the Attorney General took more than 100 actions against the Trump administration.
Congestion pricing
There are now demands to fast-track congestion pricing before Trump takes the oath of office, but Hochul is sticking to her guns and says the proposed $15 fee to enter Manhattan's Central Business District was just too high.
"The $15 was just too much for everyday New Yorkers when affordability is top of mind for them," she said.
But what she will do to bail out the fiscally strapped transit agency remains to be seen.
Riders groups say it's a race against time to do something while the Democrats are still in power in Washington. Several Republican congressmen, like newly re-elected Mike Lawler and Nick LaLota, are fierce opponents of congestion pricing and they are expected to have Trump's ear.
"We know our timeframe better than anybody. We're watching this ... I spoke to the White House about this three days ago. They understand our need to take affirmative steps to ensure that nothing compromises the MTA," Hochul said.
The governor said Wednesday she's not "hostile" to congestion pricing, but a member of the MTA board told CBS News New York political reporter Marcia Kramer it will be difficult to get congestion pricing up and running before President Joe Biden leaves office. In order to do so, the governor would have to tell federal officials she's OK with the original plan, including the $15 fee.
She could find money for the MTA by taking it away from other things in the state budget or getting the Legislature to pass new taxes to fund the agency. One source suggested she could cancel the Interborough Express Project to connect Brooklyn and Queens.
Mayor Eric Adams reacts
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Wednesday morning the votes have been counted and his administration is committed to a peaceful transfer of power.
"As mayor of America's largest city, our team will work with the incoming administration for the good of all New Yorkers. We will collaborate with our mayors across this country to come up with a real agenda that can help cities across America, including making sure that we continue to get support for our housing, infrastructure, education, health care and more," the mayor said.
"And I intend to defend and fight for our city's values as part of the process. No matter who is president or what party controls Congress, this city will always stand up for the rights of women, our immigrant brothers and sisters, our LGBTQ+ community and millions of others," he continued.
New York election results show voters approved Proposition 1, enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution. On the city's ballot measures, voters approved Propositions 2 through 5 but shot down 6, CBS News projects.
City officials touted a strong voter turnout, with approximately 2.4 million ballots cast in this election.
Abortion rights
With the passage of Prop 1 statewide, Adams said "women can be confident that their reproductive rights are secured."
"Our city remains committed to protecting and advancing women's health care, including access to abortion care," he said. "No matter what happens across the country, abortion care will always be available in New York City for anyone who needs it. That includes women outside of this city who come here seeking the care they are denied in other places."
Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom added reproductive care is about more than just abortions.
"So the right to have a healthy baby, the right to decide if you don't want to have a baby, the right to get help if you are struggling with infertility - one in five women in New York City struggle with infertility," she said. "All of that remains, no matter what happens across this country."
After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, nearly two dozen states passed abortion bans. Two years later, it remained a key issue on the ballot in at least 10 states.
Immigration
Immigration was also top of mind this election, as Trump campaigned on a promise to launch the country's largest deportation program in history. Legal experts have questioned the cost and feasibility of such a program.
"We will work with the new administration and Congress to develop a realistic and compassionate national strategy for our immigration system. This includes pushing Congress to provide expedited authorization for asylum seekers who desire to work and they're already here," Adams said Wednesday.
Trump has also vowed to try to end birthright citizenship for children of immigrants living in the country illegally, and to reinstate hardline border policies, including militarizing the U.S-Mexico border.
"To those immigrants who are living here pursuing the American Dream, as so many generations did before you, New York City stands with you. Our city will also continue to offer care, resources and legal help to those who need it. Regardless of immigration status, we will be here for you," the mayor continued. "New York City will always remain a city of immigrants and a beacon of liberty around the globe."
Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs Manuel Castro added the city remains committed to its sanctuary laws, saying he wants to quell any sense of panic or misinformation.
"For us here in this administration, now comes the hard part," First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer said.
"We want to be clear that, as a sanctuary city, we intend to follow the law, and we expect that all our city agencies follow our sanctuary laws," Castro said. "Sanctuary laws make it clear, with respect to if we collaborate with federal government, it sets the boundaries, it explains how we use our resources. And I want to make sure that our immigrant communities know, as the mayor has said, we'll continue to be a sanctuary city, and we will continue to protect our immigrant communities."
The New York City Hospitality Alliance said the idea of stricter immigration policies has some restaurants who employ immigrant workers concerned. The CEO of Partnership for New York City said its more-than-300 large member businesses are also watching the issue.
"There are real questions about what new policies might be put in place that are very disruptive," said Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City. "The second large area is that the federal government is a major funder of our subways and transit system ... And we've done very well with Senator Schumer as the majority leader of the Senate."
With Sen. Chuck Schumer no longer the Senate Majority Leader, that future funding, she says, is unclear.
Federal funding
Officials said they have been preparing for different election outcomes by identifying any potential funding and policy risks.
"We will continue to fight for every dollar to build the infrastructure we need to keep our city functioning and create climate resiliency. These are generational projects that we must move forward no matter who is in the White House," Adams said.
Federal grants make up about 7% of the city's $112 billion budget for things like housing, education, infrastructure, services for young and old New Yorkers, as well as climate resiliency.
"This morning, we know we now have a new president. We have the same infrastructure challenges, though, that we had yesterday -- crumbling bridges, pollution, excessive heat and extreme water that overwhelms traditional sewer systems," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. "These troubles know no political affiliation, they know no state boundary, they're bipartisan in the toll that they take on communities."
There was also pushback Wednesday about Trump advisor Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s proposal to end vaccines.
"This country has a very strong tradition of state control of health issues," Dr. Mitch Katch, president of New York Health + Hospitals said. "So states get to determine policies around immunization."
Kennedy wants to stop the feds from adding fluoride to the water supply, which helps prevent tooth decay. Kramer asked Adams if he would eliminate fluoride in the city's reservoirs. The mayor said he would consult with city and state experts.
Economy
Servers and taxi drivers could see more money in their pockets, as Trump promised to end federal taxes on tips in his second term.
Carnegie Diner bartender Sydney Jenkins says tips make up most of her salary, but she is cautiously optimistic.
"Now I'm not sure if that will impact our wages as employers, you know, if they see it as, oh, you're making more on tips, therefore we can decrease your hourly wage," she said.
Some economists say prices could increase on goods if Trump keeps his word on a potential tariff of either 10% or 20% on imports from all countries. He has said it would be upwards of 60% for items from China.
Emanuele Nigro has three restaurants in the West Village that source products from Italy.
"A lot of the fish that we use is imported from outside the United States, so that is, I think, the one concern," he said.
"What you're really looking for is to see what they do to expand the supply side of the equation because we know there's demand," said Steven Ricchiuoto, a United States economist with Mizuho Securities.
In a CBS News exit poll, most voters said over the last year inflation was a hardship, with around 1/4 saying it was severe.
"Sales during the summer of 2024 in New York City restaurants compared to sales in 2023 and more than 70% of restaurants that we surveyed actually saw a decline in revenue," said Andrew Rigie, with NYC Hospitality Alliance.
"We're in the heart of Times Square," said Stathis Antonakopoulous, CEO of Carnegie Diner + Cafe which has two locations in Manhattan. "It's very important for people to feel safe, and I see that people are feeling safe to start traveling."
See the latest New York election results here, and find a county-by-county map here.
