New York City’s Democratic socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is scrambling to backtrack on his radical “defund the police” demands after facing fierce backlash. Mamdani made national headlines in 2020 for tweets slamming the NYPD as “racist” and “corrupt,” calling to slash their budget and dismantle the force. But following a recent mass shooting in Manhattan that left four dead, the aspiring mayor suddenly insists he never wanted to defund cops.
Critics say this dramatic shift smacks of political desperation. Mamdani – who was vacationing in Uganda during the tragedy – claims his inflammatory posts were “out of step” with his current views. He now promises not to cut police headcount, instead targeting “excessive overtime spending”. Opponents, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo, aren’t buying it: “His position is abhorrent and disconnected from reality,” Cuomo declared.
Fox News personalities have blasted Mamdani’s Marxist leanings, with Jesse Watters calling his policies “dumb” and “reckless.” During a recent episode of The Five, hosts mocked his attempt to pivot, arguing his true intention remains weakening law enforcement through fiscal trickery. They highlighted his earlier tweet mocking a crying police officer as proof of his distrust toward those protecting public safety.
Mamdani has doubled down on creating a $1 billion “Department of Community Safety” to handle non-crime issues like homelessness. Conservatives warn this would only create more bureaucracy while ignoring the real problem: unchecked violence in America’s largest city. His proposal to disband the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group also faces skepticism, as such units are crucial during crises like Monday’s shooting.
Conservatives argue Mamdani’s entire platform prioritizes far-left ideology over practical solutions. His latest backtrack is seen as a calculated move to pretend moderation ahead of the general election. “He’s trying to have it both ways,” said one NYC resident, questioning how someone who called cops “a threat to public safety” could lead them.
Even Mamdani’s deflection tactics are falling flat. When asked if he regrets past statements, he claimed they reflected “frustration” following George Floyd’s death. Critics counter that elected leaders must express solutions, not endless grievances. With rising crime and public safety concerns, many New Yorkers view his socialist experiments as a disaster waiting to happen.
As the election heats up, Mamdani’s credibility takes center stage. His sudden pivot from “dismantle the NYPD” to “we’re partners with police” reeks of opportunism. Fox News commentators continue slamming his record, urging voters to reject radicals who prioritize tearing down institutions over protecting citizens.
In a city grappling with soaring violence, conservatives warn against replacing proven law enforcement strategies with untested socialist theories. Mamdani’s entire campaign – from revising history to rebranding extremism – exemplifies the dangers of putting political correctness above public safety.