In a significant political shift, New York City's Democratic mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani issued a public apology to the NYPD during a televised interview on Wednesday. The apology, delivered on Fox News, marks a stark contrast to his previous strong calls to defund the police department.
From Defunding to Apologising: Mamdani's Change of Stance
The apology came during an interview with anchor Martha MacCallum on 'The Story'. When told that police officers desired a public apology rather than a private one, Mamdani did not hesitate. "Absolutely, I'll apologise to police officers right here," he stated, addressing the camera directly.
He expressed regret for his past incendiary comments, acknowledging the daily risks taken by NYPD personnel. "I apologise because of the fact that I'm looking to work with these officers. And I know that these officers, these men and women who serve in the NYPD, they put their lives on the line every single day," Mamdani said.
The Backstory: Mamdani's Past Remarks on Defunding the NYPD
This public contrition follows years of vehement criticism from Mamdani directed at the police force. In the wake of the 2020 murder of George Floyd, the democratic socialist assemblymember was a vocal proponent of the 'defund the police' movement.
On the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in June 2020, he labelled the NYPD as "racist, anti-queer, and a major threat to public safety." He aggressively pushed for genuine budget cuts, criticising what he termed as "budget tricks" designed to preserve police numbers.
Later that year, in December 2020, he reiterated his stance in response to a ProPublica report, writing, "There is no negotiating with an institution this wicked & corrupt. Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence."
Public Reaction and Political Implications
Despite the public apology, many netizens and observers remain sceptical about its sincerity. Comments on social media platforms highlighted a deep-seated distrust.
One user pointed to his legislative record, stating, "Mamdani's apology is as hollow as his record. This is the same guy who voted to gut NYPD gang units..." Another user simply noted, "He said it he believes it. An apology is not changing his mind."
Mamdani attributed his evolved perspective to his experience in the state Legislature and even cited a statement from his political rival, Mayor Eric Adams. He explained that his focus now is on delivering both justice and safety for all New Yorkers, a balance he once believed was unattainable.
