Zohran Mamdani slammed as old ‘defund police’ stance resurfaces after NY cop killed in Manhattan shooting

WASHINGTON, DC: New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani is under renewed scrutiny over his past views on policing following a deadly mass shooting at a Midtown Manhattan office building that left three civilians and a New York police officer dead. 

The tragedy has reignited debate around Mamdani’s shifting stance on law enforcement, particularly his previous support for the “defund the police” movement, which he later walked back during a mayoral primary debate. The contrast has sparked intense discussion online, with social media users resurfacing Mamdani’s earlier comments.

Past defund comments clash with Zohran Mamdani’s current campaign stance after NYC shooting

The shooter, identified as Shane Tamura of Las Vegas, was neutralized by law enforcement, but the incident has reignited debate over Zohran Mamdani’s previously outspoken support for defunding the police. 

In response to the shooting, Mamdani posted on X (formerly Twitter) Monday night, July 28: "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."

However, many online users were quick to highlight Mamdani’s earlier statements calling for the dismantling of the NYPD.  

In resurfaced posts from 2020, Mamdani took a firm anti-police stance. "No, we want to defund the police," he wrote in June 2020. Later that year, he added, "Queer liberation means defund the police," and accused the NYPD of being "racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety." He further condemned budget compromises, writing, "NO to fake cuts, defund the police."

In December 2020, his rhetoric intensified: "There is no negotiating with an institution this wicked and corrupt. Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence."

Mamdani’s current messaging as a mayoral candidate marks a notable shift. During a recent primary debate, he stated, "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."

His campaign website echoes a more moderate stance, promoting the creation of a new Department of Public Safety: "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."

The stark contrast between Mamdani’s past activism and his current campaign rhetoric is fueling skepticism and debate—especially as public safety remains a key issue for New York City voters.

Viral post reignites fury over Zohran Mamdani’s anti-police stance

Zohran Mamdani’s statement on X following the Midtown Manhattan shooting quickly went viral, racking up over 3.6 million views and more than 7.4K comments, many of which harshly criticized his past calls to defund the police. Users were quick to surface his old posts, questioning the sincerity of his current message.

One user posted a screenshot of Mamdani’s 2020 tweet and asked bluntly, “This you?”

Another shared a screen recording of his past comments, writing, “You’re a blatant liar. You hate NYPD. You’ve made that clear. You’re a fraud. Leave America. Now.”

Others joined in with similar sentiments. “Do you still want to defund the police and put social workers in their place?” one asked.

Another commenter simply called him a “hypocrite.” 

One angry user wrote, “But you want to defund the police… a**hole.”

Some users challenged him directly: “Then why do you want to defund the police? You should change your stance on the police ASAP."

Another added, “This doesn’t seem consistent with your previous messages. Do you denounce everything you’ve previously said or what’s going on here?”

A frustrated commenter summed up the backlash: “You want to defund the police, stop pretending you support them. Disgusting.”

One final user echoed Mamdani’s old rhetoric sarcastically: “I guess you don’t believe in queer liberation anymore.”

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online