Former Fox News host Bill O'Reilly told viewers on NewsNation on Monday that electing New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani would lead to "anarchy and blood in the streets" and that anyone who voted for him would be "committing an act of evil." The remarks, delivered on the program "On Balance," prompted pushback from host Leland Vittert.
O'Reilly said Mamdani "simply will not enforce any laws" if elected and warned that voters who back him would be "responsible for what happens later." He listed policy concerns he attributed to Mamdani — including a stated opposition to incarceration, criticism of the New York Police Department as racist, and a desire to dismantle specialized gang units — and said those positions amounted to enabling violence.
Vittert, who is not a progressive, interrupted the monologue to note that many working-class New Yorkers support Mamdani for reasons such as his promises on food prices, rather than out of malice. "There are a lot of people who support him because he's promising to keep food prices low," Vittert said, arguing that it was unfair to label those voters "evil." O'Reilly rejected that framing and doubled down on his warnings.
During the interview, O'Reilly invoked a historical analogy, saying, "In 1934, [Paul von] Hindenburg died in Germany, the president. Hitler was the chancellor. There was a referendum, 'Yes or no, give Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers.' Ninety percent of the German population voted yes, so they got blood on their hands." He framed contemporary voting choices as carrying comparable moral responsibility.
O'Reilly also discussed policing and public safety, asserting that "policing cannot protect Americans" because it is reactive. He praised recent actions by President Donald Trump to federalize some law enforcement in Washington, D.C., and deploy National Guard troops to the capital, saying such measures made criminals "afraid to come out of their homes." Those federal deployments in recent weeks sparked protests and arrests in the city.
Mamdani, a democratic socialist and New York state assemblyman, has said he does not seek to "defund" the NYPD. In June, he described plans for additional resources to create a Department of Community Safety intended to respond to mental health crises and other noncriminal emergencies, a proposal he and his campaign say is distinct from eliminating police funding.
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and moved to New York City at age 7, has previously faced Islamophobic remarks and accusations of antisemitism after criticizing Israel's conduct in Gaza and calling it a genocide. His candidacy has been a flashpoint in the crowded and contentious New York mayoral race, drawing scrutiny from across the political spectrum.
The exchange on NewsNation is the latest in a string of national media moments in which commentators have sharply debated the implications of progressive criminal justice proposals and candidates' stances on policing. O'Reilly's comments reflect broader national tensions over public safety policy, while Vittert's interjection underscored differing interpretations of voters' motivations in the city's mayoral contest.
The New York mayoral race remains competitive and closely watched, with voters and media alike scrutinizing candidates' statements and policy proposals on crime, housing, and the cost of living as they head toward the primary and general election calendar.