The past remarks of Joran Mamdani, who was elected as the Democratic candidate for New York mayor, have become controversial. Following the mass shooting that occurred in Manhattan, New York, on the 28th of last month (local time), which left four dead and raised safety concerns, questions are being raised about whether Mamdani, who has had a hostile view of the police, can genuinely assume the role of head of the New York Police Department.
On the 31st of last month (local time), the U.S. political media Politico reported that "if Mamdani leads the largest police organization in the United States, he will face numerous political traps." Mamdani is expected to run as the Democratic candidate in the New York mayoral election scheduled for this November, and since New York is a stronghold for the Democratic Party, his chances of winning are high. The New York mayor also serves as the head of the New York Police Department (NYPD).
Mamdani also expressed that he was "heartbroken" upon hearing the news of the horrific shooting incident. His campaign promised to maintain police funding during the election process while proposing the establishment of a 'Department of Community Safety' to allow police officers and detectives to focus more on criminal investigations.
However, his past remarks are a liability. According to major foreign media, Mamdani has previously advocated for budget cuts and the dismantling of the New York Police Department, and has mocked police officers by sharing photos of crying officers on social media. Politico reported, "Mamdani wants to fundamentally change how police respond to calls, and his radical supporters expect even larger changes than that."
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) introduced a post Mamdani wrote on social media after the death of Black man George Floyd in 2020 due to excessive force by a white officer. At that time, Mamdani stated, "It is clear without investigation that the New York Police Department is racially discriminatory, homophobic, and a threat to citizen safety," and reiterated the need for budget cuts for the New York police.
Mamdani's actions are being compared to those of current New York Mayor Eric Adams, who plans to run as an independent in the New York mayoral election. At the time of the incident, Mamdani was in Uganda for his wedding, while Mayor Adams visited the families and colleagues of the fallen officer to offer condolences. Adams, a former police officer, values the role of police in maintaining the city's safety and has made strong law enforcement a key promise, while Mamdani prioritizes addressing housing issues such as rent freezes.
Concerns are also being raised among police regarding Mamdani's campaign. This is because if Mamdani becomes mayor, there is a possibility of conflict with over 30,000 New York police and their unions. Former New York Police Commissioner Terence Monahan told the WSJ, "If the mayor and the police are constantly in conflict, no mayor can succeed." He added, "The mayor's administrative ability depends on a strong collaborative relationship with the police, through which crime can be effectively suppressed."
Politico noted, "Mamdani has taken a step back from his past harsh remarks about the police, but other than a few promises like curbing overtime, he has made few specific plans on how to operate the New York Police Department." It forecasted that if Mamdani leads the New York police, it could have significant repercussions for both New Yorkers and the police.