New York Becomes First State to Impose Statewide Data Center Moratorium
"I had to step back say we need to pause here. We are the first in the nation to have a statewide moratorum on the issuance of permits to allow these projects to go forward. And what this is going to do is allow us to have a list for local communities."
About this episode
Ben Meiselas reports on what he describes as Republican chaos on Capitol Hill, featuring House Speaker Mike Johnson's extraordinary press conference identifying 'mini mom Donnies' as America's gravest threat and warning journalists they are targets. Johnson framed current politics not as policy debates but as a philosophical war for freedom's survival, while advocating for $350 billion in additional military spending to fight communism on American shores. When questioned about ICE agents killing someone in Maine without body cameras, Johnson admitted complete ignorance despite claiming to work 22-hour days. The Speaker also deflected questions about congressional authorization for ongoing military action against Iran, now in its fifth month, claiming Iranians cannot be trusted in negotiations. Republican Lisa McClain told critics to leave the country if they oppose the administration. In contrast, Meiselas interviews New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who announced New York has become the first state to impose a statewide moratorium on data center permits, citing unsustainable energy demands and exploitation of small communities. Hochul outlined requirements that data centers provide their own power, pay grid premiums, contribute to resiliency funds, and receive no tax breaks. She also criticized the Trump administration's economic chaos, tariff impacts on farmers and consumers, and ICE raids that she says are terrorizing communities and separating families far beyond targeting dangerous criminals. Hochul emphasized her collaborative relationship with New York City Mayor Eric Adams as a model of functional governance, contrasting it with what she characterizes as Washington's relentless chaos. The episode frames the political landscape as Republican dysfunction and authoritarian rhetoric versus Democratic state-level competence and innovation.
Key takeaways
- House Speaker Mike Johnson declared 'mini mom Donnies' the greatest threat to America and warned journalists they are coming for them during a Capitol Hill press conference.
- Johnson admitted complete ignorance of ICE agents killing someone in Maine without body cameras despite working 22-hour days and facing direct questioning about the incident.
- New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the nation's first statewide moratorium on data center permits, demanding facilities provide their own power and receive no tax breaks.
- Johnson advocated for $350 billion in additional military spending to fight what he described as communism on American shores and threats globally.
- Republican leaders framed the 2026 midterms as a referendum on whether America remains a constitutional republic or descends into communism.
- Hochul criticized Trump administration policies including tariffs, ICE raids, and Medicaid cuts as creating economic chaos and terrorizing communities including rural Republican districts.
- Hochul cited her collaborative relationship with New York City Mayor Eric Adams as a governance model contrasting with Washington dysfunction.