New York City’s Democratic mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani, is stirring up a storm with past remarks that could make even the toughest cop blush. The 33-year-old Ugandan-born assemblyman from Queens clinched a stunning primary victory against heavyweights like former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, setting the stage for a contentious general election battle in November 2025. Now, as he eyes the title of the city’s first Muslim mayor, his old comments on policing are igniting fierce debate.
According to Fox News, Mamdani, a democratic socialist, won the Democratic primary on July 2, 2025, and his evolving stance on public safety—once radically anti-police, now seemingly more pragmatic—has become the talk of the town as he campaigns to lead the nation’s most populous city.
Let’s rewind to 2020, when Mamdani appeared on the "Immigrantly" podcast and questioned the role of police in domestic violence cases, advocating for alternative responders. He mused, “If somebody is jaywalking, if somebody is surviving, going through domestic violence – there are so many different situations that would be far better handled by people trained to deal with those specific situations.” Well, that’s a noble thought, but with the NYPD handling over 100,000 domestic violence incidents in 2024, one wonders if “alternative responders” are ready for such a heavy lift.
That same year, amidst the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests following George Floyd’s death, Mamdani didn’t hold back, branding the NYPD as “wicked and corrupt” on social media. In a December 2020 tweet, he demanded, “Defund it. Dismantle it.” That’s quite the battle cry, but it’s hard to imagine dismantling an institution so central to a city’s safety without a clear replacement plan.
Not stopping there, in November 2020, Mamdani tied police abolition to broader social causes, tweeting, “queer liberation means defund the police.” It’s a catchy slogan for the progressive crowd, but for many New Yorkers worried about rising crime, it might sound more like a recipe for chaos than liberation.
Fast forward to his primary campaign, and Mamdani’s tone began to shift—perhaps sensing the political winds. His platform floated the idea of replacing police with “crisis responders” for mental health situations, though the specifics remain murky at best. One has to ask: without clear guidelines, how do we ensure these responders aren’t just well-meaning but woefully unprepared?
On July 2, 2025, after securing his primary win, Mamdani held a press conference with union leaders, projecting confidence as he prepared for the general election. He also spoke at the National Action Network National Convention on April 3, 2025, signaling his intent to build broad coalitions. But the elephant in the room remains—how will his past rhetoric square with governing a city hungry for safety?
During the second Democratic mayoral debate on June 13, 2025, Mamdani tried to reassure voters, declaring he would not defund the police. He emphasized, “I will work with the police because I believe the police have a critical role to play in creating public safety.” That’s a welcome pivot, but skeptics might wonder if it’s a genuine change of heart or just election-year pragmatism. Continuing in the debate, Mamdani pointed out that 65% of crimes from the first quarter of 2025 remain unsolved, urging police to focus on such cases while delegating nonviolent issues to others. It’s a fair point—police shouldn’t be social workers—but reallocating resources without a proven alternative risks leaving gaps in response.
Mamdani’s current platform includes creating a Department of Community Safety to tackle nonviolent incidents, funded by reallocating $600 million from existing programs and hiking taxes on wealthy New Yorkers. He also proposes slashing police overtime and the NYPD’s $80 million communications budget. While addressing the root causes of crime sounds appealing, burdening the well-off to fund untested programs might not sit well with taxpayers already feeling the pinch.
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul congratulated Mamdani on his primary win, praising his focus on affordability, though she’s stopped short of an endorsement for November 2025. She noted at a recent news conference, “Everybody's concerned what will happen to the policing of the city.” That’s an understatement—her hesitation speaks volumes about the unease surrounding Mamdani’s plans.
Critics aren’t mincing words either, with Joe Gamaldi, Fraternal Order of Police National Vice President, telling Fox News Digital, “Anyone who still supports defunding the police is completely insane.” He argued that such policies have led to rampant crime and disorder in urban areas. It’s a harsh assessment, but with unsolved crime rates looming large, his frustration resonates with many who prioritize law and order.
Mamdani’s shift in messaging—acknowledging the police’s role in violent crime while pushing for alternative responders—shows he’s trying to thread a tricky needle. But for a city weary of crime stats like the 65% unsolved cases he cited, trusting a candidate with a history of anti-police rhetoric feels like a gamble. New Yorkers deserve clarity on whether domestic violence calls, for instance, will still get a swift police response.
As the general election looms, Mamdani’s challenge is clear: convince a skeptical public that his vision for public safety isn’t just idealistic jargon but a workable plan. His past statements, unearthed by outlets like the Washington Free Beacon, will keep haunting him unless he can prove his policies won’t leave the city vulnerable. It’s a tall order for a candidate whose rhetoric has swung from radical to reconciliatory.
Ultimately, New York City stands at a crossroads with Mamdani’s candidacy—balancing progressive aspirations against the hard realities of urban safety. Voters will have to decide if his Department of Community Safety is a bold innovation or a risky experiment. One thing’s certain: come November 2025, this debate will be anything but dull.
