New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and President Donald Trump recently met at the White House to discuss separate priorities—Trump pushed for a gas pipeline project that New York previously rejected, while Hochul sought to revive congestion pricing, which Trump recently blocked. Their meeting covered infrastructure, energy policy and tariffs, but no formal agreements were made.

Hochul faces a political challenge in navigating her relationship with Trump, balancing resistance against his policies while appealing to moderates and progressives in her state. Her handling of issues like congestion pricing, tariffs and immigration could significantly impact her political future, as she weighs whether to confront Trump aggressively or adopt a more strategic approach.

“She's playing the game a little bit differently—the resistance game,” says Grant Reeher, professor of political science. “She doesn't want to be seen to be an ally of Donald Trump and his administration,” he says. “She also has to worry about her left flank and being seen as too liberal.”

Read more in the WXXI News article, “New York Gov. Kathy Hochul walks political tightrope into high-stakes White House sit-down.”