In the wake of a horrific shooting in midtown Manhattan that left five dead, including a police officer, Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s past stance on policing has resurfaced, igniting a firestorm of criticism.
The shooting, which took place in an office building near the iconic Blackstone Tower, has brought renewed scrutiny to Mamdani, particularly his previous calls to "defund the police" and his rhetoric surrounding the NYPD.
Mamdani, who is vying for the position of New York City’s mayor, had been a vocal advocate for dismantling the NYPD in the past, but his current campaign has painted a very different picture of his views on law enforcement.
His earlier statements, which included a call to “dismantle” the NYPD and a push for significant cuts to its budget, are now being juxtaposed against his more moderate stance in his mayoral campaign, where he emphasizes the need for collaboration with police.
The deadly attack, which saw the gunman, identified as Shane Tamura from Nevada, wreak havoc in the high-rise building, led to chaos and panic as the gunman, armed with a rifle, stalked the halls, shooting indiscriminately. Tamura was eventually neutralized by police after fatally wounding five people.
As the details of the tragedy unfolded, Mamdani posted on X (formerly Twitter), offering his condolences: “I’m heartbroken to learn of the horrific shooting in Midtown and I am holding the victims, their families, and the NYPD officer in critical condition in my thoughts. Grateful for all of our first responders on the ground.”
While Mamdani’s message seemed genuine, it was met with backlash from social media users who quickly dredged up his past calls for defunding and dismantling the police.
Images of his 2020 social media posts, in which he stated “No, we want to defund the police” and “Queer liberation means defund the police,” quickly circulated. These posts raised questions about how Mamdani could reconcile his previous position with his current, more moderate campaign rhetoric.
In June 2020, Mamdani was particularly vocal, saying, “We don’t need an investigation to know that the NYPD is racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety. What we need is to #DefundTheNYPD.”
A few weeks later, on June 28, he doubled down, accusing the City Council of using “budget tricks” to keep the police force intact. "There is no negotiating with an institution this wicked & corrupt. Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence," he wrote.
Later in December 2020, Mamdani reiterated his call for dismantling the police, saying, “All this misery. All for money. In the last budget, the City Council tried to make the NYPD reduce its overtime budget by half. They simply refused. There is no negotiating with an institution this wicked & corrupt. Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence.”
However, these earlier statements are now in stark contrast to his current stance on policing as he campaigns for mayor. During a mayoral debate in his primary race, Mamdani told voters, “I will not defund the police. I will work with the police because I believe the police have a critical role to play in public service, public safety.”
Mamdani’s shift in tone is not limited to debate performances. His campaign website now features a section that highlights his plans for law enforcement, calling for the creation of a new Department of Public Safety.
The website states, “Police have a critical role to play. But right now, we’re relying on them to deal with the failures of our social safety net—which prevents them from doing their actual jobs. Through this new city agency and whole-of-government approach, community safety will be prioritized like never before in NYC.”
Critics of Mamdani’s campaign have questioned how he can claim to support public safety while simultaneously backing radical policies that aim to strip the police of funding and resources.
His past calls to dismantle the NYPD were widely embraced by progressive activists, particularly during the Black Lives Matter protests that erupted across the nation in the summer of 2020.
However, as Mamdani’s mayoral campaign has gained momentum, his more tempered position on policing has raised concerns among both his supporters and critics.
The backlash against Mamdani’s evolving position on law enforcement is not limited to social media. Several prominent figures in the race for mayor have seized on his past rhetoric to cast doubt on his credibility.
Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD officer himself, condemned the tragic shooting in Midtown, and emphasized the importance of a strong police force. Adams, a moderate Democrat, has positioned himself as a defender of law enforcement, highlighting his own experience in the NYPD as a key part of his campaign.
“I am going over to the hospital to speak with the families and loved ones involved in this incident,” Adams said in a video posted shortly after the shooting. “Horrified by the shooting in Midtown. I’m grateful for the courage of our NYPD and first responders, and my prayers are with the victims and their families.”
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is also running for mayor, weighed in with his own statement, expressing his condolences and support for law enforcement.
“Disturbing reports out of Midtown Manhattan—multiple people reportedly shot, including an NYPD officer. Praying for everyone affected. Grateful to our first responders who run toward danger to keep us safe,” Cuomo wrote on X.
Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa also condemned the shooting, tweeting, “Disturbing reports out of Midtown Manhattan—multiple people reportedly shot, including an NYPD officer.
Praying for everyone affected. Grateful to our first responders who run toward danger to keep us safe.” Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, has made law enforcement a central focus of his campaign, positioning himself as a strong advocate for public safety and a critic of efforts to defund the police.
The four-way mayoral race is set for November 4, with the candidates offering starkly different visions for the future of New York City. Adams, who opted to run as an independent after being the Democratic nominee last cycle, has focused heavily on public safety and crime prevention, while Cuomo’s entry into the race comes after Mamdani’s surprising victory in the Democratic primary.
Mamdani’s evolving stance on policing is likely to remain a focal point of the race as his opponents continue to draw attention to his previous calls for defunding and dismantling the police.
While Mamdani has sought to reposition himself as a proponent of public safety and community-centered solutions, his past rhetoric could continue to haunt him as the race progresses.
In a campaign that has already been marked by sharp divisions over issues like crime, housing, and the economy, Mamdani’s views on law enforcement are particularly divisive.
For many New Yorkers, the question of how to balance public safety with the need for police reform remains a central issue. Mamdani’s previous comments advocating for the dismantling of the NYPD will likely continue to resonate with some voters, while others may view his shift to a more moderate position as opportunistic or lacking in conviction.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s campaign for comment on the renewed scrutiny surrounding his stance on policing, but they did not respond immediately.
As the race for mayor intensifies, Mamdani will likely continue to face tough questions about his evolving position on law enforcement and how he plans to address the city’s ongoing public safety challenges.
The tragic events in midtown Manhattan have cast a shadow over the mayoral race, and the scrutiny of Mamdani’s past statements is unlikely to subside anytime soon.
As voters head to the polls in November, the debate over policing, public safety, and accountability will be at the forefront of the political conversation. For Mamdani, navigating this delicate issue may prove to be one of the most challenging aspects of his campaign.
