9/11 deal roils N.Y. Republicans, CapCon Q&A with NYGOP Chair Ed Cox

And the search for poll workers continues in New York.

Good afternoon — it’s Thursday and National IPA Day.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024

TODAY’S CAPCON:

• Republicans in New York are hammering the Biden administration over a plea deal struck with the architect of 9/11, who will now avoid the death penalty.

• New York Republican Chairman Ed Cox joins us for a CapCon Q&A on his party’s chances in New York this year, including with Harris on the ticket.

• There’s still a shortage of poll workers in New York and across the country. What can be done to fill that gap?

☀️ Tonight’s Weather: Albany: Mostly clear, high 60s. New York City: Partly cloudy, high 70s. (National Weather Service)

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Manhattan seen from Brooklyn on 9/11 (Kathy Willens/Associated Press)

⚖️ N.Y. Republicans are not happy about the 9/11 plotter plea deal

🤝 The lawmakers criticized the Biden administration for not pursuing the death penalty for the architects of the attacks.

The 9/11 attacks were personal for a lot of New Yorkers, especially those who lived in the city at the time.

In the hours and days after the attacks, a Republican trio emerged as leaders in rescue and recovery efforts as well as the nation’s response.

• Those were former Gov. George E. PATAKI, former NYC Mayor Rudy GIULIANI and former President George W. BUSH.

It was a moment of unity for not only the country but for the state, where the lasting effects of the attacks are still felt today.

About a month after the attacks, Pataki issued an executive order creating the state Office of Public Security.

• It was renamed three years later as the state Office of Homeland Security.

That’s where the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services came from.

• In 2010, a handful of agencies including the Office of Homeland Security were combined to create the division.

That agency still exists today and handles threats of terrorism, weather emergencies and more.

Former Gov. George Pataki (Will Waldron/Times Union)

🗣️ It’s something that New Yorkers will literally never forget.

So when news broke that Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the attacks, and two of his accomplices would avoid the death penalty through a plea deal, it was a big deal.

Republicans, including Pataki, framed the deal as an example of what they see as a weak administration in the White House.