'Like pouring salt in wounds': Internet slams Kathy Hochul as she defends going to Jonathan Diller’s wake

WASHINGTON, DC: Though Governor Kathy Hochul was abruptly told "his blood is on your hands" when she stopped by the wake of slain NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller, Hochul said on Saturday, March 30, that she never was instructed to leave the hero cop's wake. She said she 'understands' why Diller’s family is 'outraged', as per the New York Post.

While defending her decision to attend Diller’s wake, Hochul said, "I would do it again, and that’s my job." She also informed Politico during an Easter event at the governor’s mansion in Albany, "We were told the family is welcoming. We always check, and they said to come, and I went. And no one told me to leave."

Kathy Hochul defends going to Jonathan Diller’s wake

Later on Saturday, Hochul acknowledged that "everyone is just so distraught - and, yes, there's a lot of anger" after speaking with Diller's wife Stephanie and other family members at the wake in an interview with Rev. Al Sharpton on MSNBC's PoliticsNation.

She added, "Understandably there’s anger about how these individuals could commit crimes over and over and are back out on the street again."

As the public face of the contentious bail reform that law enforcement claims is to blame for the spike in recidivism, Hochul has come under fire after Diller, 31, was killed on Monday, March 25, during a traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens.

Hochul has not been able to reverse the reforms, despite her attempts, which many claim placed law enforcement officers and regular New Yorkers in danger and let dangerous offenders back on the streets.

Notably, Guy Rivera, 34, is the main suspect in Diller's murder. He has served five years in jail and has been arrested at least 21 times.

Hochul said, "We worked hard with the [state] Legislature last year to change the bail laws, so the judges have more discretion, and there’s a lot of complicated factors here. But I totally understand the outrage of the family. I really do."

Internet aims at Kathy Hochul

Several people on the internet took a jibe at Kathy Hochul as she said that she never was instructed to leave the hero cop's wake. A user posted on X, "Her policy has led to this hero being murdered. Her and Eric Adams have blood on their hands. Officers are getting killed, women are getting raped and killed, children are getting shot, etc."

A user also mentioned, "So basically she was told not to be there, and she showed up anyway??? Wtf, that’s like pouring salt into the wound," while one added, "She tried to use this man’s death as a cover for hiring people on her staff that promoted 'defunding the police'."

A person also stated, "Because it’s about her, not Jonathan Diller. She’s a selfish individual," while one mentioned, "She wasn’t wanted there."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.