An alleged sexual assault at Cornell University has prompted New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to call for an independent investigation. She said Cornell’s president has agreed to the review. Hochul described coverage of the case as “deeply disturbing” and said she wants answers.
A video of her remarks is circulating on X. “I want answers,” Hochul said. “I want to know what happened.” Outside counsel hired by Cornell will conduct the investigation, though she did not identify who would lead it. She said the university expects to announce the review “in fairly short order.”
Hochul also drew on her experience as a mother who sent her own daughter to college “not that long ago.” Parents, she said, “deserve to know that the institution that they leave their children at will protect them.” She described New York’s campus sexual assault laws as among the nation’s toughest but added, “I think we can do better.”
“This culture has to stop,” Hochul said. “And it will stop here in the state of New York.”
Kathy Hochul Faces Election-Year Backlash Over Cornell Review
Online responses soon focused on the timing of Hochul’s involvement, with critics questioning why she was stepping in now.
“You are only getting involved because of the upcoming election,” one user wrote. Another questioned the delay: “Why didn’t you want answers 2 years ago. Now that you can get a political boost you care. The people aren’t buying your fake outrage.”
Others focused on what they viewed as political opportunism. “You’re really going to use this very sensitive matter to score political points? A new low even for you Kathy!!” one response stated. Another delivered a more direct political rebuke: “You just lost my vote.”
Not every response rejected Hochul’s intervention. “Thank you. I’m appalled by what happened at Cornell and their absolute failure to address that horrible assault,” one user wrote. Another left room for her to follow through, writing, “If she actually does something I will applaud her.”
Hochul has also directed her team to consider additional measures during the next legislative session. She has not detailed what those measures could include.
