New York Gov roasted for ‘setting up’ CEO hotline for frightened executives after Luigi Mangione shooting
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing backlash after news spread that her office was considering creating a CEO hotline for fearful executives after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was reportedly shot by Luigi Mangione.
Sources said CNN On Monday, Hochul’s office said it was “setting up a hotline for CEOs so they can call to report security concerns or threats.”
The Democratic governor announced last week that she planned to host a virtual call with 175 businesses and their security personnel to discuss “a certain class of individuals.” [that] are being targeted,” she said MSNBC.
Many expressed anger at the idea that her office would use taxpayer money to protect wealthy corporate executives who could hire their own security.
“Why on earth would my tax dollars go to helping protect people who are more than capable of hiring private security? F****ng NY is so stupid…” one user wrote on X.
“I hope this is a joke because special treatment for ‘CEOs’ via 911 should show everyone who is actually served by police,” another commented on the platform.
“Hochul and Dems openly care more about CEOs than, say, schoolchildren who risk a massacre every day. Hochul is particularly downbeat,” a third added.
“Look how quickly they move to protect CEOs, but not the future CEOs in schools,” chimed in another.
Sources told CNN on Monday that New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s office is considering “setting up a hotline for CEOs so they can call to report security concerns or threats.”
Executives’ concerns stem from the December 4 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson (pictured below), who was shot by a suspect (pictured above) believed to be Luigi Mangione in Midtown Manhattan
Hochul’s press secretary told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that there was no plan to set up the hotline after Thompson’s death on December 4.
“There is no CEO hotline, and that proposal has never been considered by this administration,” Avi Smalls said in an email.
Regardless, some who saw the news accused the state of doling out “more corporate subsidies” and wasting “taxpayer money” for the safety of “CEOs of billion-dollar companies.”
‘Why can’t they pay for this themselves?’ someone wondered.
“I don’t remember this kind of state response and resources going to New York when homicides peaked around 2022, but I think it was just regular people,” another criticized.
Yet another asked, “So I just file an LLC and get a special hotline and privileges?”
Hochul’s office has not publicly responded to the comment.
The meeting with executives is believed to have taken place on Tuesday and was facilitated by state Director of Operations Kathryn Garcia and Partnership of New York City CEO Kathy Wylde, according to Politics.
Many expressed anger at the idea that her office would use taxpayer money to protect wealthy corporate executives who could hire their own security
Wylde said state police, Homeland Security and counterterrorism officials will be called in to demonstrate 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 capacity in the country. There is no safer place to be, she said.
‘[Hochul] understood the severity of the impact of both the killing and the hateful response to it, and she wants to ensure that state resources, especially domestic counter-terrorism resources, are focused on supporting and sharing information.”
Mangione, who was apprehended after a multi-day manhunt, has been hit with terrorism charges after allegedly killing Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel.
“This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted killing designed to cause shock, attention and intimidation,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Tuesday.
“It happened in one of the most vibrant parts of our city and threatened the safety of local residents as well as tourists, commuters and business people just starting their day.”
The 26-year-old has two court dates scheduled for Thursday in Pennsylvania, including an extradition hearing, Bragg noted.
Hours after his arrest in Pennsylvania last week, the Manhattan district attorney filed paperwork charging him with murder and other offenses.
Partnership of New York City CEO Kathy Wylde (pictured) said state police, homeland security and counterterrorism officials will call 174 companies to demonstrate how intelligence can be shared to help with corporate security
Mangione has hired high-powered New York attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo to represent him in a high-profile legal battle.
Meanwhile, her husband, Marc Agnifilo, represents controversial rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is facing a slew of sex trafficking charges.
Mangione grew up in a prominent, wealthy family in Maryland and spent his life attending prestigious private schools, earning his college degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Police have not released a motive for the deadly attack, but many speculate it was related to a back injury that Mangione is suffering from.