New York City mayoral candidates Zohran Mamdani and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo are engaged in a debate over their support for law enforcement following Monday’s mass shooting in a midtown Manhattan office building.
Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist state lawmaker from Queens, recently won the Democratic Party mayoral nomination. He has faced criticism for his past comments advocating to defund the NYPD.
Cuomo has labeled Mamdani as “anti-police,” claiming that he does not prioritize public safety.
After the recent shooting in Manhattan, Mamdani’s previous statements on social media from 2020 calling for defunding the police have come under scrutiny. Additionally, Mamdani has been criticized for his delayed response to the shooting, where four people, including a police officer, lost their lives.
In response to Cuomo’s accusations, Mamdani accused the former governor of politicizing the tragic event and dwelling on past issues.
Cuomo denied Mamdani’s claims and stated that the discussion on public safety is crucial for the upcoming election.
During a press conference, Mamdani distanced himself from his previous remarks on defunding the police, emphasizing that his focus is on a robust public safety platform.
Both candidates continue to clash over their views on law enforcement and public safety in the wake of the recent shooting in Manhattan.
