New York, US: In the aftermath of a tragic Midtown Manhattan mass shooting, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is asking voters and political rivals to stop reducing his candidacy to an endless debate about his past criticism of the police. As the city mourns four lost lives—including NYPD Officer Didarul Islam—Mamdani faces his most intense scrutiny yet, with his old “Defund the Police” social media posts resurfacing and critics quick to question his sincerity.
The Shift in Conversation
Mamdani, a state assemblyman long associated with New York’s left, unexpectedly found himself in the political crosshairs while thousands of miles away in Uganda for his wedding. News of the city’s deadliest mass shooting in a quarter-century reached him abroad, and upon his immediate return, he was thrust into an emotional and highly public conversation about law enforcement—a topic that’s dogged him throughout his career.
Addressing reporters outside Officer Islam’s family home in The Bronx, Mamdani was unequivocal: “I am not defunding the police; I am not running to defund the police. Over the course of this race, I’ve been very clear about my view of public safety and the critical role that the police have in creating that public safety.” He acknowledged that some of his older posts were “out of frustration” during the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and do not represent the candidate he is today.
Critics Remain Skeptical
Not everyone is convinced by Mamdani’s attempt to reframe the debate. Opponents, including Republican state officials and even some within his own party, accuse him of “political theater” and “damage control.” One state assembly colleague labeled his shift “opportunism dressed up as evolution,” while others referenced tweets where Mamdani mocked NYPD officers as evidence that his current tone is insincere.
The criticisms are pointed. “He called the NYPD ‘wicked and corrupt,’ said ‘Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence,’ and pushed to disband the very unit that responded to the shooting,” said one lawmaker. On social media, users question how someone who once laughed at a cop in distress can now ask to lead the city’s law enforcement.
Owning the Past, Promising the Future
Mamdani, for his part, does not deny the impact or reality of his past statements. He insists that his evolution comes from “listening to New Yorkers and responding to our city’s needs in real time—on public safety and in every aspect.” He emphasizes that safety and justice are not opposing forces, and says his campaign is about “being a candidate who learns, who leads, and who grows.”
He now promises not to cut NYPD funding or reduce personnel, while also advocating for the creation of a new Department of Community Safety focused on emergency situations such as mental health crises. His vision, he says, is about ensuring the police “focus on the most severe crimes” and reducing NYPD overtime, rather than shrinking their presence.
The Political and Public Backlash
Despite these assurances, Mamdani’s critics continue to highlight the contrast between his current stance and virulent remarks from the tense summer of 2020, when the “Defund the Police” movement peaked nationwide. Conservative media and police unions have pointed to his proposal to move NYPD funds to housing and health services, and his rhetorical flourishes about prisons being “obsolete,” as deeply problematic.
Some worry that Mamdani’s rapid transformation is a “cynical and transparent” response to a changing political landscape rather than genuine growth. Others see an opportunity for a wider conversation about the role of police, public safety, and the city’s response to violence.
The Final Word: A Call to Move On
As Mamdani continues his campaign for mayor, he wants voters to focus on his vision for New York’s future—one that balances public safety with justice and community investment, rather than on an endless reexamination of his past tweets.
“The seriousness of the work that police do in this city deserves more than a cycle of attack and defense over old posts,” Mamdani said. “Let’s talk about how we keep New Yorkers safe, together, as one city.”
Whether voters will accept Zohran Mamdani’s new message or remain anchored to his past views remains to be seen. What’s clear: He’s eager to turn the page and get New York talking about what comes next.
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