Niagara Leader

The indictment of a top staffer in Governor Kathy Hochul's administration as a foreign agent for the Chinese Communist Party has raised significant security concerns. Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt issued a statement addressing the issue, describing it as a severe failure that jeopardizes both New York and the United States.

"The indictment of a top Hochul staffer as a foreign agent for the Chinese Communist Party redefines the term 'People's Republic of New York,'" Ortt stated. "The fact that a spy for a hostile nation was embedded at the highest levels of our state government under two administrations is an alarming security failure, jeopardizing both New York and the entire country."

Ortt emphasized that New York should be "a beacon of freedom," where people seek refuge from oppressive regimes rather than serving as "a platform for spies to infiltrate our government and undermine our state and nation."

He called for "an immediate, bipartisan investigation to ensure this never happens again and to hold accountable anyone who allowed this breach to occur."