Cuomo Defends Record, Dodges Blame for Past Policies in Tense NY Post Interview

On Monday, March 17th, Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo faced criticism and scrutiny in a two-hour meeting with the New York Post’s editorial board as he seeks a political comeback amid ongoing concerns over his legacy.

During the meeting, Cuomo defended his policies on criminal justice reform, homelessness, and COVID-19, rejecting claims that his administration’s decisions led to current problems in New York City. He deflected blame for the state’s bail reform law, which he signed in 2019, and other criminal justice measures, claiming that the influence of left-wing lawmakers constrained his options. “A governor is not a dictator. You do the best you can when you can,” he said.

Cuomo also faced criticism over the state’s ongoing homelessness crisis, with Mayor Eric Adams accusing him of contributing to the issue through policies that were later reversed.

The former governor also defended his approval of congestion pricing, a controversial initiative that has faced pushback from many New Yorkers. While the policy was signed into law during his tenure, Cuomo’s decision to implement it continues to stir public debate.

One of the most contentious aspects of Cuomo’s tenure remains his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The March 2020 directive requiring nursing homes to accept recovering coronavirus patients has been widely criticized for contributing to the high death toll among vulnerable residents. Cuomo dismissed these claims, insisting, “You want the state to say, ‘We killed people,’ and that’s not true.” Investigations into the matter, however, found discrepancies in the reported number of deaths, further fueling the controversy.

As he aims for a return to public office, Cuomo’s attempts to reshape his image are facing significant pushback, with many still grappling with the lasting effects of his policies.