Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Blakeman had a direct meeting with President Trump at the White House on Tuesday, rekindling their longstanding friendship.
In a conversation with The Post following the meeting, Blakeman refrained from providing specifics on what he termed a “confidential” discussion with the president. However, he revealed that their dialogue touched on topics such as energy and economic policies, crime, and Governor Kathy Hochul’s stance against ICE.
“Should Governor Hochul and the legislature enact a law preventing local governments from cooperating with ICE, I am prepared to challenge them in federal court,” Blakeman stated.
“I believe they lack the constitutional authority to prohibit my police department from collaborating with a federal agency,” he added.
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Currently serving as Nassau County’s executive, Blakeman acknowledged meeting with the White House’s political team. While he did not confirm if Trump would support his campaign directly, he suggested that such a possibility remains open.
“He’s very supportive and he’s going to be helpful,” Blakeman said. “I think he’ll be active in my campaign. I think he’ll be helpful.”
The face-to-face was met with derision by Hochul.
“That’s just precious. I know he’s going to get his marching orders,” she said, belittingly.
“I’m not surprised he’s going down there to ask for his help in a struggling campaign. And so I think the voters will look at that with a skewed eye for how they feel about a candidate for governor having to go to the White House to get direction on what to do.”
But Hochul’s attempt at portraying Blakeman as a meek Trump toady at the White House arguably was hypocritical, given her own White House groveling.
When not publicly cosplaying as the Rambo-esque leader of the “resistance,” Hochul regularly chats chummily with Trump over the phone – and isn’t above visiting the White House.
She also presented Trump with a flattering storytime-style booklet last year touting the virtues of congestion pricing.
“Big words, nice colors,” Hochul joked at the time.
