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Did Andrew Cuomo threaten Trump with violence? NY governor says POTUS 'better have army' to walk NYC streets

Andrew Cuomo warned President Donald Trump to come armed with military backup is he was ever visiting New York, which may have been construed by some as threatening behavior

New York governor Andrew Cuomo was slammed on social media after he went on a rant against President Donald Trump during a press briefing on Wednesday, September 2, in a response to a report that states the POTUS is looking to pull federal funds from “lawless” cities including NYC. 

Cuomo warned Trump to come armed with military backup if he was ever visiting New York, which may have been construed by some as threatening behavior. “He better have an army if he thinks he’s gonna walk down the street in New York. New Yorkers don’t want to have anything to do with him,” he said. “He can’t have enough bodyguards to walk through New York City, people don’t want to have anything to do with him.”

He added that the legality of Trump's five-page memo ordering a review of federal funds that can be redirected from New York City, Portland, Seattle and Washington, DC was under question. “It is more of the same from him. It’s political, it is gratuitous. And it’s illegal. But it is another attempt to kill New York City,” Cuomo said. “President Ford said drop dead. President Trump has been actively trying to kill New York City since he’s been elected.”

The governor also went onto speculate that the president did not care about New York's rising murder rate and shootings. “I think it’s because he is from New York City and New York City rejected him, always,” Cuomo said. “He was dismissed as a clown in New York City, those who know him best, like him least. He was disrespected in New York City. Nobody took him seriously and he was just a tabloid cartoon.” 

His comments did not sit well with Democrats and Republicans alike on social media as people immediately started wondering if Cuomo meant to threaten the president. Here are a few of the reactions:

''Cuomo should be careful for what he asks for. Threaten a US President, go to jail on a one way ticket. Cuomo the Thug!''

''WOW!! The gov of NY just threating the President of the United States?! Where is the secret services and the FBI on this?? Take his as out and arrest his dumb a**!! @POTUS @realDonaldTrump @NYGovCuomo''

''As much as I 10000% support New York, @NYGovCuomo and @NYCMayor in the fight against trump, maaaaybe the army comment wasn’t the best thing to say rn, especially given how unhinged trump is.''

''This is a way out of line comment by Cuomo. (Communicating a threat.) The moronic alleged leadership there made things worse for a major state. Do not trust him to even walk a dog. Ty''

''Wondering if the @SecretService has been notified of the threat to @POTUS @realDonaldTrump by @NYGovCuomo @AndrewCuomo.''

''Seriously, what kind of s**t is this? I don’t like Trump, but what Cuomo says amounts to treason.''

''Andrew Cuomo said you better not come to New York unless you got an army with you.... That is a direct threat sir.''

''Ummmm....he does in fact have an Army, and a Navy, and a Marine Corps, and an Air Force. By the way 'Big Guido'....@NYGovCuomo that sounds VERY MUCH like a threat to the life of the @POTUS don’t you think so @SecretService and @FBI @NewYorkFBI.''

''Governor Cuomo, the city you swore to protect is becoming a war zone under your watch. If @realDonaldTrump needs an army to protect him in NYC... Just give us the time and date. We’re on the next flight.''

Shortly after making the controversial comments, Cuomo must have realized how his rant might have come off as a potential threat to the commander-in-chief because he tried to walk back his heated response. “My comment about the president and bodyguards in New York City, all I’m saying is that he is persona non grata in New York City. And I think he knows that. And he’ll never come back to New York, because New Yorkers will never forget how gratuitously mean he has been to New Yorkers and how many times he’s tried to kill the city that gave him his start and birthed him. That’s what I meant about the bodyguards,'' he said.