Governor Kathy Hochul declined to comment on mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s unclear response regarding his plans to reconcile with the numerous NYPD officers affected by his past anti-police remarks.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Hochul sidestepped questions from a Post reporter concerning whether Mamdani should issue a public apology to law enforcement—this comes just days after she offered her endorsement to the progressive Queens Assemblyman.
Before publicly supporting him, Hochul emphasized that Mamdani should apologize for his provocative comments, including a 2020 tweet where he labeled the NYPD as “racist, anti-queer & a significant threat to public safety.”
“I believe an apology is warranted,” Hochul stated in a prior press conference while highlighting state grants allocated for law enforcement gear.
Mamdani’s eventual reply was far from an actual apology.
“My political foundation isn’t about theatrics; it’s about direct communication, especially regarding my discussions with law enforcement,” Mamdani asserted during a rally in The Bronx last week.
However, following a separate press event on Tuesday, Hochul evaded confirming whether his vague response sufficed as an adequate apology.
As she departed the podium at a different event held at Grand Central Terminal, Hochul chose not to engage with questions.
Afterward, a spokesperson indicated that Hochul may not have heard the question but refused to clarify what her stance is on Mamdani’s next steps.
Hochul remarked the day after backing Mamdani that she intends to play a role in selecting the forthcoming police commissioner if Mamdani wins the election.
Mamdani is set to face Republican Curtis Sliwa along with independent candidates, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, in the general election on November 4.
