In a striking public break with his own partys orthodoxy, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio conceded to Sean Hannity that he parts ways with Democrats on crime and border security, two issues that have long energized conservative voters.
De Blasios unusually candid remarks came during Thursdays episode of the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast, where the progressive ex-mayor acknowledged that his party "rightfully" deserves criticism for its handling of the southern border, as reported by Fox News. His comments underscored a growing recognition, even on the left, that policies championed by Democrats in recent years have produced real-world consequences that can no longer be ignored.
On policing, de Blasio openly repudiated one of the lefts most damaging slogans, telling Hannity, "In retrospect, the whole concept of defund the police made no sense. It made sense to say, how can we do better?" In 2020, amid nationwide unrest, de Blasio had pledged to slash the New York Police Departments budget by $1 billion, diverting funds to youth programs and public housing in a move widely criticized by law-and-order advocates.
The former mayor now points to conversations with police leaders who urged more investment in positive alternatives for young people, describing such efforts as "good for safety" in local communities. Hannity, long a critic of de Blasios tenure, reacted with visible surprise, saying, "Were not disagreeing, right? This is amazing."
"Were doing good," de Blasio replied, before offering a rare mea culpa from a high-profile Democrat on crime policy. "So defund was a mistake. And I understand where it came from, but it was a mistake."
De Blasios reassessment did not stop at public safety; he also aligned with Hannity on the crisis at the southern border, an issue that helped propel President Trumps return to the White House. Calling the topic "common ground," de Blasio admitted that the Democratic leadership could and should have managed the border surge far more effectively, adding bluntly, "I dont like what Biden did with the border."
Pressed by Hannity on why he had not spoken out sooner, de Blasio claimed he did not initially grasp the severity of the situation. He said his view shifted only after President Joe Biden moved to tighten border policies later in his presidency, explaining, "When I saw it during Bidens time, that he was able to reverse course in that final year and tighten up the border no, I mean, thats the irony," and noting that something had "changed" in the administration.
"We, as Democrats, rightfully deserve that critique," he added, effectively validating conservative warnings that lax border enforcement and sanctuary policies would invite chaos. That admission is particularly notable given de Blasios own record: in 2014, he dramatically expanded New York Citys sanctuary status, signing legislation that barred the NYPD and Department of Corrections from honoring most ICE detainer requests, even going so far as to remove ICEs permanent office from Rikers Island.
The conversation unfolded on "Hang Out with Sean Hannity," a new podcast that launched this month on YouTube and Spotify and has already featured guests such as Stephen A. Smith, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and NHL star Matthew Tkachuk. De Blasios remarks highlight a broader shift in the national debate, as even prominent Democrats are now conceding that conservative critiques on crime and border security were not only justified but, in many respects, prescient.
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