Gov. Andrew Cuomo doesn’t understand the meaning of Memorial Day, New York Republicans say.
Cuomo’s directive of lowering flags to half-staff and illuminating landmarks red, white, and blue on Memorial Day “to honor essential workers who lost their lives to COVID-19” allegedly misrepresents the holiday and “insults” veterans, some Republican members of the New York Legislature say.
“Memorial Day was first established in Waterloo, New York to honor fallen soldiers and over the years has become one of America’s most cherished traditions, recognizing the bravery of U.S. veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Will Barclay, the leader of the Republican conference in the New York state Assembly, said in a statement. “The governor’s attempt to redefine this weekend’s recognition and unilaterally transform Memorial Day Weekend into his own COVID remembrance insults the countless men and women who fought and died for this country.”
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Barclay added that while “every single one of us understands and appreciates the front-line workers who gave so much during the pandemic,” Cuomo is “incapable of carrying the same understanding and appreciation for America’s fallen heroes and their families,” advising the governor to “stay out of the way.”
Mike Martucci, a Republican state senator, said the state’s Department of Health, which shared Cuomo’s directive, “has no clue that Memorial day is reserved to honor our fallen Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen and women.”
“Should we honor the Frontline workers who died during the pandemic? ABSOLUTELY, but NOT on Memorial day,” he continued.
State Sen. Robert Ortt, a veteran, demanded Cuomo apologize.
“I know apologies and contrition don’t come easy to him, but this is one area where it should. That is the right thing to clarify that this was a gross misstep,” Ortt told Fox News. “Again, we should recognize the sacrifice that our essential workers and front-line workers paid during this pandemic, some with their lives, but there are plenty of other days we can do that without diminishing, taking away, or conflating what this weekend and this holiday really means.”
Rich Azzopardi, a senior adviser to Cuomo, told the outlet the governor’s tribute appropriately honors both veterans and health workers.
“Memorial Day is Monday — flags will be flown at half-staff in honor of those front-line workers who paid the ultimate price while fighting this pandemic on Sunday,” he told the outlet. “Both are somber days, and their memories deserve better than to be politicized by a bunch of craven partisans. They should be ashamed.”
The governor, who announced the decision on Monday, is currently contending with a litany of scandals, including allegations of sexual harassment, offering preferential treatment to members of his inner circle regarding access to coronavirus testing, and using state resources to promote his book, among other claims.
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Cuomo is eligible for reelection in 2022 and has vowed not to step down despite mounting pressure from within his party, saying all claims of wrongdoing are false.
Representatives for Cuomo’s office did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner‘s request for comment.
