New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul has been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer, and is scheduled for surgery this Friday.

Hochul’s diagnosis, caught during a routine checkup, has prompted the governor to urge citizens to receive timely screenings for the potentially deadly disease, as the Daily Mail reports.

Hochul, 66, revealed that a small speck on her nose was identified as basal cell carcinoma during a recent checkup. The cancer is highly treatable, especially when caught early, as in Hochul’s case.

The governor is scheduled to undergo a removal procedure this Friday morning, and she expects to be back to her regular duties later the same day, though with a bandage on her nose.

Hochul’s Encouragement for Screenings

Following her diagnosis, Hochul took the opportunity to encourage others to prioritize routine health checkups. "A tiny, tiny speck on my nose, you can't even see it," Hochul said, highlighting how something seemingly insignificant can have serious implications. The procedure will leave her "out of commission for about an hour or two," but she plans to resume her gubernatorial responsibilities quickly.

Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, often appears as a small, pearly bump or a flesh-colored mole. It’s typically treated through a minor surgical procedure that removes the affected tissue, often resulting in little to no long-term impact on the patient. In Hochul’s case, the procedure is expected to be brief, and her office anticipates a smooth recovery.

Arrest of Linda Sun

While Hochul's health update was making headlines, another significant development emerged involving a former employee of the governor’s office. Linda Sun, who worked as deputy chief of staff under both Gov. Hochul and her predecessor Andrew Cuomo, was arrested last week alongside her husband, Chris Hu. They were taken into custody at their Long Island mansion, valued at $4 million.

Sun is accused of acting as a covert agent for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), allegedly working to advance the party's interests within New York state.

One of the specific allegations is that Sun attempted to undermine Taiwan’s representation in the state by blocking Taiwanese representatives from official events. She also reportedly participated in an anti-Taiwan protest in New York City in 2018 and corrected a government press release in 2020 to remove a reference to Taiwan as a country.

Accusations of Chinese Espionage

In addition to her work behind the scenes, Sun was said to have coordinated a Lunar New Year video for the state government in 2021, carefully omitting references to politically sensitive issues, including the Uyghur crisis in China. These actions, along with others, led to her termination in March 2023 when Hochul’s administration discovered evidence of misconduct.

"This individual was hired by the Executive Chamber more than a decade ago," a spokesperson for Hochul’s office said. "We terminated her employment in March 2023 after discovering evidence of misconduct, immediately reported her actions to law enforcement, and have assisted law enforcement throughout this process."

Legal Proceedings and Investigation

Following their arrest, Sun and her husband pleaded not guilty on September 4 in a Brooklyn court. They were released on bond but are now prohibited from having any contact with the Chinese consulate or the People’s Republic of China’s mission. Their defense attorney, Jarrod Schaeffer, expressed the couple’s dismay over the charges. "We’re looking forward to addressing these charges in court. Our client is understandably upset that these charges have been brought," Schaeffer said.

Sun’s alleged actions date back several years, but it was only after a thorough investigation by law enforcement and internal reviews within Hochul’s administration that formal charges were filed. The investigation revealed numerous instances of Sun allegedly promoting the CCP’s agenda, often at the expense of Taiwan's interests.

Hochul’s Response to the Scandal

Hochul’s office has been cooperating with law enforcement since the discovery of Sun’s alleged espionage activities. The governor has not publicly commented in detail on the matter, but her administration has been quick to distance itself from Sun following her arrest.

Sun had been appointed deputy chief of staff in September 2021, and during her 15-month tenure, she was involved in several high-level operations within the state government. However, her termination in March 2023, after the discovery of her actions, marked the end of her career in state politics.

Conclusion

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is set to undergo a minor procedure to remove basal cell carcinoma from her nose this Friday, with a full recovery expected.

Simultaneously, her administration is dealing with the fallout from the arrest of Linda Sun, a former staff member accused of promoting Chinese Communist Party interests within the state.

Sun and her husband have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are awaiting further legal proceedings.