A Queens Politician's Controversial Past Resurfaces

Zohran Mamdani, a leading candidate for New York City mayor, is facing heat over old remarks that have recently come to light. In a video from 2023, Mamdani, who is a member of the New York State Assembly, made a bold statement linking the NYPD to the Israeli military. He claimed that the NYPD's actions were influenced by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), saying, "When the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it’s been laced by the IDF. " This statement was made during a panel discussion at the Democratic Socialists of America’s national convention, where Mamdani was a keynote speaker. Mamdani argued that it is crucial to show people how local and international issues are connected. He believed that making these connections would help people understand how capitalist interests tie into struggles both locally and globally. He stated, "For anyone to care about these issues, we have to make them connected. We have to make it materially connected to their lives. " Since then, Mamdani has been trying to mend fences with the NYPD and its supporters as he campaigns for mayor. He has distanced himself from his previous comments, including a 2020 statement where he called the NYPD "racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety" and supported the "defund the police" movement. Now, he says he would keep Jessica Tisch as police commissioner if elected. However, not everyone is convinced by Mamdani's shift in stance. Former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, who served as the longest police chief in the city's history, has endorsed ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo for mayor instead of Mamdani. This endorsement suggests that Mamdani's past comments and recent attempts to soften his image may not be enough to win over all police supporters.