Hochul’s challenger promises to comply with New York’s new ICE law but joins sheriffs’ lawsuit challenging it

Bruce Blakeman found the one move that actually makes sense here. Comply with the law because it's the law, sue because the law is wrong. That's not political theater, that's what you're supposed to do when a state legislature passes something you believe is unconstitutional. You don't get to just ignore statutes you dislike, but you also don't have to pretend you agree with them.

New York's new law strips local police of the ability to keep cooperation agreements with ICE. Think about what that actually means on the ground. Nassau County sheriffs who used to be able to flag a violent offender for federal immigration enforcement now can't, by state mandate. Hochul's Albany didn't ask county executives what this does to their departments or their ability to work with federal partners on public safety. They just passed it and expected everyone to fall in line.

Blakeman joining the sheriffs' lawsuit while still following the law in the meantime is exactly the kind of position that should be uncontroversial but somehow isn't in New York politics anymore. It shows he's not looking to blow up the rule of law for a press release, but he's also not rolling over just because Albany Democrats decided immigration enforcement is something local cops shouldn't touch. Voters in November get a clear contrast: a governor who signed this thing without blinking, and a challenger willing to fight it through the courts while still doing his job. That's not a stunt. That's how you're supposed to handle a law you think goes too far.