Political speech, timestamped and in context

Kathy Hochul: “This is exactly why we're here today and why I took the action last night.”

Featuring: Kathy Hochul, Democratic | Governor of New York

LIVE: New York's Kathy Hochul & Letitia James Hold Press Briefing On Cornell Investigation

Published October 2, 2026

… at a fraternity, and you don't take the time to interview this young woman and ask more questions and rely on a partial record. This is what I'm talking about. This is exactly why we're here today and why I took the action last night. We don't know enough. But what is coming out beyond what everyone was told initially or four years, two years ago? It is very contradictory and conflicting. And I want the truth. (24:47–24:52)

STATEMENT

Asserts that her actions were in response to the mishandling of the case.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

See the main statements from Kathy Hochul in this video

“I signed an executive order appointing Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor in this sexual assault case at Cornell University.”
Asserts that Kathy Hochul appointed Letitia James as a special prosecutor for a sexual assault case.16:03-16:13
“I'm invoking the power conferred to me as the Governor of the State of New York to enlist Attorney General James as an independent special prosecutor in this case.”
Asserts that Kathy Hochul is using her gubernatorial power to appoint a special prosecutor.18:21-18:31
“We need to address a gap in state law. If someone is too intoxicated to consent, it should not matter whether they chose to use drugs or alcohol.”
Asserts that there is a gap in state law regarding consent and intoxication that needs to be addressed.19:11-19:23
“I support closing this loophole and will work with the New York State legislature to accomplish this.”
Asserts that Kathy Hochul supports legislative action to close a legal loophole regarding intoxication and consent.19:32-19:38
“I'm deeply disturbed at Cornell University's police and how they handled this.”
Asserts that Cornell University's police mishandled a case.23:30-23:35
“Them sending a partial record over is, in my judgment, a failure.”
Asserts that Cornell University's police sent a partial record, which is a failure.23:43-23:48
“Title IX applies to all universities.”
Asserts that Title IX is a national law applicable to all universities.25:49-25:52
“The law says you cannot disclose this information. This is deeply flawed.”
Asserts that the non-disclosure requirement of Title IX is flawed.25:59-26:06
“We'll work with the legislature. The timing will be resolved, but at minimum, I would say this is something we could easily take up early in the session.”
Asserts intent to work with the legislature to address legal issues.26:08-26:17
“There's legislation that has passed one of the houses.”
Asserts that relevant legislation has passed one legislative house.26:17-26:20
“I spoke to the president about my desire, my insistence that there be outside independent counsel examining what happened on the civil side.”
Asserts that she insisted on an independent counsel to examine the university's actions.27:15-27:27
“They're having a board meeting. They had an immediate willingness to go out and find what I've asked for outside counsel to conduct a fully independent investigation.”
Asserts that the university is holding a board meeting and is willing to find outside counsel for an independent investigation.28:23-28:33
“I'm waiting for those results.”
Asserts that Kathy Hochul is awaiting the results of the independent investigation.28:32-28:34