Hochul: NY troops will 'never' go to D.C. for Trump's bidding

New York hasn’t been asked to send its National Guard to Washington.

And Gov. Kathy Hochul herself said, even if asked, she’d never consent to what she called President Donald Trump’s "abuse of power."

The Democrat this week addressed Trump’s move to tap National Guard troops from Republican-led states to help his move to take over policing in the nation’s capital. So far six states — Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia — have committed to deploying personnel. State troops in or heading to the capital city now number about 1,100, in addition to 800 National Guard members from Washington, D.C., already activated there, according to The Associated Press.

Notably, none come from Democrat-led states.

One Republican governor, Phil Scott of Vermont, has rejected a Trump administration request to send troops, saying it wasn’t a proper use of National Guard personnel.

Hochul, fielding questions from reporters Monday, said Trump is trying to "show I’m tough and I can go send in the National Guard anywhere I want."

"And Republican governors that are playing along with this say, ‘Oh, we'll send ours. We'll send ours,’" Hochul said.

She added: "New York National Guard will never be sent there by me."

Vermont has twice rejected requests for troops. In the D.C. case, Jason Gibbs, the governor’s chief of staff, told Vermont Public that "because it is being hyperpoliticized, the governor doesn’t feel like — and I believe the vast majority of Vermonters don’t feel like — it would be an acceptable and appropriate use of the National Guard."

Hochul said there was a "world of difference between what Donald Trump is doing" and her sending New York National Guard troops to monitor the New York City subway system earlier this year.

"People were very anxious about taking the subway. They [National Guard] were there as a peacekeeping presence," Hochul said. "They were not allowed to go in with weapons. They were not allowed to arrest. I did not give them any additional powers, which is what’s happening in Washington. ... It’s wildly different from the abuse of power that Donald Trump is once again is engaging in."

AP reported federal agents and National Guard are taking on new tasks as part of Trump’s show of force.

The National Guard serves as the primary combat reserve of the Army and Air Force and responds to natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods, to protect life and property in communities.

Media reports show the troops’ assignments in D.C. include monument security, community safety patrols and beautification efforts. The White House said previously Guard members aren’t making arrests but are "protecting federal assets, providing a safe environment for law enforcement officers to make arrests, and deterring violent crime with a visible law enforcement presence."

Officials initially said the troops won’t be armed.

Since, though, AP reported city officials have been informed about the intent for the National Guard to be armed, though they have not received details about when that could happen, or where in the District.

By Yancey Roy

yancey.roy@newsday.com@yanceyroy