NYC Mayor Mamdani Faces Backlash From Far-Left Base
The mayor's handling of the Oct. 7 anniversary and a recent police-involved shooting has drawn criticism from his erstwhile allies.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing a growing tide of criticism from factions of his own far-left base, including the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), over his public statements and actions concerning the anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and a recent police-involved shooting.
Mamdani's response to the third anniversary of the Oct. 7 massacre drew sharp rebukes. His statement on the event reportedly included a brief mention of the attacks before pivoting to a more extensive condemnation of Israel. Following this, he dined at a Palestinian restaurant whose menu features a phrase calling for the eradication of Israel. These actions led to protests and chants against him, with critics labeling him a "traitor."
Further complicating matters for Mamdani is the aftermath of a shooting incident involving an ICE officer in the Bronx. An illegal immigrant with a criminal record, Oscar Belgal, was shot after allegedly attempting to ram ICE agents. The DSA and other progressive groups have seized on this incident, demanding that Mamdani dismiss Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and advocate for the removal of ICE from New York City. The DSA issued a statement demanding Mamdani "fire NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and use every power available to him to drive ICE out of New York City."
Darializa Avila Chevalier, a congressional candidate, echoed these sentiments, accusing NYPD officers of escalating violence and prioritizing the protection of ICE agents over New Yorkers.
Mamdani, when questioned about the calls to fire Tisch, stated that the NYPD was not present during the initial incident and only arrived to find Belgal on the ground, at which point they provided aid and transported him to a hospital. The mayor appeared taken aback by the criticism.
Once hailed as a progressive standard-bearer, Mamdani now finds himself at odds with the very groups that championed his rise. His base now perceives him as aligned with figures and institutions they often oppose, such as law enforcement and pro-Israel stances, leading to a sense of betrayal among these erstwhile allies.