Trump campaigns for Blakeman, attacks Hochul on crime

President Donald Trump headlined a campaign event for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman on Long Island on Friday, August 14, 2026, using the rally to attack Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul on crime and immigration ahead of the November election. The event at the Nassau County Police Academy in Garden City brought together law enforcement personnel and GOP candidates, centering on a familiar Republican strategy of framing Democrats as weak on public safety.

Trump, speaking for approximately an hour, characterized Hochul as "a nightmare for crime" and accused her of siding with "gang members, child predators, violent felons." He pointed to new FBI statistics showing a historic year-over-year drop in national violent crime as vindication for Republican policies. The President urged voters to support Blakeman, whom he called a longtime friend and "a great political leader," predicting an upset victory in the deep-blue state. "How the hell can you lose to that?" Trump asked. "If you lose, you'll be ashamed for the rest of your life."

Blakeman, the Nassau County Executive, joined Trump on stage and pivoted to his central campaign theme: public safety. He cited a 2024...