New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is warning that the United States may be stepping into another open-ended conflict without a clear plan, telling Military.com in an exclusive interview that Americans are worried about what the future holds.
“It’s deeply disturbing that we entered a war without an exit strategy,” Hochul, a Democrat, told Military.com on Sunday. “We have plenty of lessons throughout history where it has not gone well for us."
The joint military venture by the United States and Israel against Iran, dubbed domestically as Operation Epic Fury, hgas already led to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, ending his 36-year rule. On the U.S. side, four service members have already been declared dead with President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saying more casualties are likely.
Hochul is among governors who are pressing Trump and his administration to be more forthcoming about his objectives, including filling in Congress and the American people as concern builds at home about what comes next.
Pressure has already surfaced on the streets and on Capitol Hill.
Demonstrators packed Times Square after the strikes, urging lawmakers to assert war powers authority and citing the War Powers Resolution as a check on sustained military action.
Article I of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to declare war, though presidents have often initiated military action without formal declarations.
Hochul said those factors make transparency and oversight especially critical right now.
“I want the president to take a step back explain to Congress what the objectives are here and also how we can guarantee he’s going to keep everyone in this country safe,” she said.
'Is This County Prepared' For More War?
Hochul also questioned whether the strike strengthens U.S. security in the near-term.
“I’m not sure how this makes us safer right now,” Hochul said.
Tensions have been building for weeks across key waterways and U.S. operating areas. Iran announced it temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz for live-fire drills as indirect nuclear talks continued in Geneva—a move that risked further escalation around one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
The governor made it clear that opposing Iran’s regime does not automatically justify the timing of the action. But she added that more information presented to lawmakers and citizens is necessary.
“It is a horrible regime. It must be destroyed and taken down,” Hochul said. “At this moment, at this time, is this country prepared for that?”
U.S. forces have also reported close encounters at sea, including the shootdown of an Iranian drone that the military said approached an aircraft carrier with “unclear intent" which underscores how quickly a wider confrontation could take shape.
Hochul framed the moment through a New York lens, warning that global instability rarely stays overseas.
“People in places like New York City are anxious now, don’t know how this ends,” she said.
