Restaurant owner exposes Dem senator caught on surveillance footage blatantly ignoring mask mandate

A New York restaurant owner blasted Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) on social media Friday after surveillance video caught the Democratic lawmaker blatantly ignoring face mask rules.

What happened?

The owner of Innovo Kitchen, an American-style restaurant near Albany, blasted Gillibrand in an Instagram post for not following face mask rules. The owner included video of Gillibrand storming into the restaurant without a mask to the seating area.

"The problem with NY politics in a nut shell," the Instagram post read. "My Senator blowing past my manager before she can even ask her to put a mask on. Walking right past a really big sign that says 'masks required to enter.'"

"The masks are a mandate from the Governor. As good citizens, agree or not, we must follow our leaders. Her guest is graciously wearing one," the post added. "I guess Senator Gillibrand thinks that the Governor is wrong or she is special and above the rules."

Face masks are required in all indoor businesses in the Empire State, per Gov. Kathy Hochul (D).

The face mask mandate declares, "Any person, past their second birthday and medically able to tolerate a face covering, must wear an appropriate mask while in any indoor place, regardless of vaccination status."

What did Gillibrand say?

The Democratic lawmaker did not apologize for breaking the mandate rules, but only said that she needs to "do better" about following state and local guidelines in the future.

"We all need to do our part to help stop the spread of Omicron and that means following state and local guidance," Gillibrand told Fox News. "That includes me and I will do better going forward."

Democratic leaders nationwide have been repeatedly caught skirting pandemic-related restrictions, like mask mandates, despite voicing support for such restrictions. Like Gillibrand, many have expressed the desire to do better in the future, but the conundrum has left Americans wondering: Why are restrictions necessary for us but not the leaders who enact and support them?