In a recent appearance on Fox News' "Hannity," former Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed his support for socialist Democratic NYC mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, asserting that Mamdani will ensure the safety of city residents, despite his previous calls to defund the police.
This endorsement comes amid concerns about the potential negative impact of Mamdani's policies on the city.
The discussion between Hannity and de Blasio revolved around the decision of President Donald Trump to deploy the National Guard in Washington, D.C., and possibly other cities plagued by high crime rates. The two engaged in a heated debate over the necessity of military intervention to curb crime.
Hannity voiced his frustration, stating, "Since Obama has been president, Ive been scrolling the names of people shot and killed in Chicago for years, and nobodys done a damn thing, and no lives are being saved." He further criticized the crime rates in the nation's capital, claiming it to be the highest globally and suggesting that cities like Baghdad, Mexico City, and San Salvador are safer than Washington, D.C. Hannity accused these cities of manipulating their crime statistics and questioned de Blasio's opposition to military intervention for public safety.
In response, de Blasio stated, "I am not against having the number of law enforcement officers we needed. That means police officers. That means working with local communities, with police officers."
According to the Daily Caller, Trump had considered sending National Guard troops to Chicago following their deployment in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 11. This decision was prompted by a series of high-profile crimes in Washington, D.C., that garnered national attention. These included a brutal attack on a former Department of Government Efficiency staffer and the fatal shooting of Republican intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym on June 30.
Despite claims of a 35% drop in Washington, D.C.'s crime rate in 2024, critics argue that these statistics exclude serious crimes like felonies and aggravated assaults. Similarly, while overall crime rates in New York City appear to have decreased, the New York Post reports that years of underreported rapes have distorted the New York Police Department's data.
During the interview, Hannity confronted de Blasio about Mamdani's history of advocating for police defunding. De Blasio defended Mamdani, citing former New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton's belief that safety is achieved by uniting the police and community. He expressed confidence that Mamdani would prioritize public safety once in office.
Mamdani has previously dodged questions about his anti-police statements made in 2020, following the death of George Floyd. He justified these statements as expressions of frustration and insisted that public safety and police reform are not mutually exclusive.
Mamdani's campaign promises include raising the minimum wage to $30, establishing government-run grocery stores, and imposing higher taxes on wealthier, predominantly white neighborhoods. While these proposals have sparked concern among Republicans, there are reports of business owners contemplating leaving the city if Mamdani is elected.
A July poll conducted by political analyst Mark Halperins Next Up, in partnership with Wick, shows Mamdani leading the four-way race with 39%, followed by former Democratic New York Gov. Cuomo at 21%, Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa at 18% and Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams at 9%. As the election draws closer, the city's residents and business owners are closely watching the unfolding political landscape, aware that the outcome could significantly impact their future.
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