Hochul roasted for ‘subways safer’ tweet after woman burned to death on train
New York Governor Kathy Hochul faced backlash on social media after she praised the safety of the New York City subway system, just hours after a horrifying incident took place on a train.
In a post on Sunday, Hochul claimed that crime rates on the subway had decreased since she deployed the National Guard in March. She highlighted the addition of cameras to all subway cars and the support from the National Guard as contributing factors to the decrease in crime. However, her post sparked outrage as it came shortly after a woman was set on fire and burned to death on an F train in Brooklyn.
The incident, which occurred at the Stillwell Avenue station around 7:30 a.m., shocked the city and garnered widespread media coverage. Despite the tragic event, Hochul’s tweet about the improved safety of the subway system drew criticism from social media users. Some users even shared graphic footage of the immolation in response to her post.
Melissa DeRosa, a former aide to Governor Andrew Cuomo, called out Hochul for her insensitive tweet, pointing out that two people had been murdered in the subway that day. Others, like Lori Mills from the Ventura County Republican Party, also criticized the governor for her poorly-timed message.
The person of interest in the incident was identified as 33-year-old Sebastin Zapeta, a migrant from Guatemala who entered the U.S. approximately a year ago. Questions surrounding his legal status in the country remain unanswered. Fox News Digital reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for more information on Zapeta.
Advocacy group AntiSemitism suggested that Hochul needed a new social media team in light of the controversy surrounding her tweet. Despite the criticism, Hochul’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In conclusion, Governor Hochul’s attempt to highlight the improved safety of the New York City subway system backfired as her post coincided with a tragic incident on a train. The backlash on social media serves as a reminder of the importance of sensitivity and awareness when addressing public safety issues.
Andrea Margolis is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Readers can send story tips to andrea.margolis@fox.com.
