1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

Dear Governor Hochul, I write to respectfully urge your administration to adopt measures similar to those recently implemented by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who banned individuals pardoned for participating in the January 6, 2021, insurrection from holding state government positions. This decisive action aligns with the imperative to uphold the integrity of public service and safeguard democratic institutions. As you are aware, President Trump’s pardons and commutations for nearly 1,600 individuals involved in the Capitol attack have raised profound concerns about accountability. Among those pardoned are New Yorkers convicted of assaulting law enforcement, breaching secure areas, and engaging in seditious conspiracy. Governor Pritzker’s directive deems such conduct “infamous and disgraceful” under Illinois’ personnel code, asserting that no one who sought to overthrow the government should serve in it. New York should follow suit. New York’s existing legal framework provides avenues to act. The state’s personnel code already allows disqualification based on conduct that undermines public trust. By formally excluding insurrectionists from state employment, your administration would: 1. Protect democratic values: Ensure those entrusted with public roles reject violence and uphold the rule of law. 2. Support law enforcement: Honor officers who defended the Capitol, including over 50 NYPD officers injured that day. 3. Align with federal accountability: Federal judges and bipartisan lawmakers have condemned efforts to legitimize the events of January 6. Your leadership in clemency reform demonstrates a commitment to justice tempered with fairness. Applying similar rigor to barring insurrectionists would reinforce New York’s stance against political violence. I urge you to issue an executive directive or endorse legislation prohibiting pardoned January 6 participants from state employment. Such a measure would resonate with New Yorkers who value accountability and the sanctity of our democracy. Thank you for your consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further and offer my full support as a concerned constituent.