During NYC Mayoral Debate, Zohran Mamdani Claims He Doesn’t Want to Defund the Police – But He Did Call for That Multiple Times (VIDEO) | The Gateway Pundit | by Mike LaChance

National Review reported:

Mamdani Sidesteps His Anti-Police Stance in NYC Mayoral Debate

In an interesting turn of events during the first mayoral debate on Thursday, socialist contender Zohran Mamdani, who currently leads in the polls, appeared to distance himself from his previous outspoken criticism of the New York Police Department (NYPD) as well as his calls to defund it. This sudden change of heart has raised eyebrows about the authenticity of his campaign message.

Former New York governor and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo didn’t hold back, stating, “He doesn’t believe in law and order. He believes in defunding the police, disarming the police, disbanding the police. That’s who he is.”

In response, Mamdani vehemently denied those accusations, claiming Cuomo was lying, “again and again and again.”

“I am not running to defund the police,” he asserted. “I am running to actually work with the police to deliver public safety.” Yet, looking back at 2020, Mamdani was a vocal advocate for defunding the police, arguing for a “socialist city council to defund the police” while labeling the department itself as “wicked & corrupt.”

His previous posts echoed a strong sentiment against the NYPD, stating, “We don’t need an investigation to know that the NYPD is racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety,” while calling for the movement to #DefundTheNYPD.

Take a look at this clip:

Has Mamdani really forgotten his own words?

He has publicly advocated to defund the police over 15 times. pic.twitter.com/sJcb70ES2P

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 17, 2025

New Yorkers could be making a questionable choice if they consider backing him.

Zohran Mamdani: “I never denigrated the NYPD or said that I want to defund the police.”

Zohran Mamdani: pic.twitter.com/VHtKIKhRHx

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) October 16, 2025

Could one of the moderators kindly read Mamdani’s own words back to him when he denies ever calling for the defunding of the police? pic.twitter.com/gks9PMHWts

— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) October 16, 2025

Mamdani seems to find it heart-wrenching when police officers show emotion.

Many are questioning if that is the kind of leadership New Yorkers need. pic.twitter.com/QblVxiMjil

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) July 29, 2025

Remember this incident from March?

Meet Zohran Mamdani, a NY Assemblyman and NYC Mayoral candidate. He recently made headlines by allegedly assaulting a police officer while passionately protesting against Tom Homan’s deportation of criminal illegal aliens.

Just another day in the life of a politician? pic.twitter.com/Y4bb0FOzEG

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 12, 2025

The prospects for New York City could become quite alarming if Mamdani were to take the mayor’s office.