New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is under fire for a seemingly innocent Lunar New Year video that’s now raising serious questions about foreign influence in state government.

Back in 2021, while serving as lieutenant governor, Hochul recorded a message at the behest of China’s New York consulate, a decision that’s now resurfaced amid a federal trial involving her former aide, Linda Sun, accused of peddling influence to Chinese officials for personal gain, as the New York Post reports.

That two-minute clip, still posted on the Chinese Consul’s YouTube channel, features Hochul wishing viewers a happy Lunar New Year with the phrase “xin nian kuai le.”

Video Sparks Concerns Over Compliance

What’s got conservatives riled up isn’t the holiday cheer -- it’s the context. Prosecutors revealed in court that Sun, Hochul’s ex-aide, allegedly boasted to Chinese officials that Hochul was far more willing to play ball than her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo.

Rep. Elise Stefanik didn’t mince words, slamming Hochul as “compromised” and pointing to Sun’s trial as evidence of deeper issues. “Kathy is compromised,” Stefanik declared on social media, highlighting the troubling optics of a governor appearing to bend to foreign requests.

Let’s unpack that zinger -- while Stefanik’s critique stings, it’s hard to ignore the unsettling idea of a state leader being nudged into action by someone later accused of espionage. The question isn’t just about Hochul’s intent but whether such interactions signal a vulnerability in our state systems.

Trial Reveals Disturbing Allegations

Fast forward to the trial in Brooklyn federal court, where Sun faces charges of selling influence to China, alongside unrelated accusations of profiting off state mask purchases during the COVID-19 crisis. Her alleged comment to a consular official that Hochul was “much more obedient” than Cuomo paints a picture of manipulation that’s tough to dismiss.

Sun, who was dismissed from state government in 2023 after spy allegations emerged, reportedly took credit for persuading Hochul to film the video. In it, Hochul even name-dropped Huang Ping, the then-head of the consulate, calling it a “privilege” to collaborate on issues affecting Chinese New Yorkers.

That kind of cozy language might’ve been meant as diplomacy, but in light of Sun’s charges, it reads more like a red flag to those of us wary of foreign overreach in American politics.

Investigators Question Sun’s Credibility

Adding fuel to the fire, state investigator Thomas Collery testified that Sun seemed visibly nervous and dishonest during questioning about unrelated fraudulent proclamations she created for family members. His words to jurors cut deep: “It was noticeable to us that she confidently lied to us.”

Collery’s testimony suggests Sun wasn’t just a rogue operator but someone comfortable bending the truth -- a dangerous trait for anyone close to the levers of power. If she misled investigators on smaller matters, what else might she have obscured?

Albany isn’t sitting idle, either. Legislators like state Sen. Jake Ashby and Assemblyman Matt Slater are pushing a bipartisan bill to form a commission investigating foreign influence in state government, arguing it’s a matter of national security.

Legislative Push for Accountability

Ashby framed the stakes clearly, stating, “This is about our national security and the integrity of our state government.” It’s a sentiment echoed by Slater, who warns of China as a major threat to state operations.

While some might scoff at this as political theater, the idea of a thorough probe into foreign meddling isn’t just prudent -- it’s overdue.

With Sun’s trial exposing potential cracks in the system, ignoring this issue would be like leaving the front door unlocked in a rough neighborhood.