5 days ago
Heated exchange erupts over Andrew Cuomo's ‘Defund the Police' attacks in first NYC mayoral debate
Mayoral frontrunner Andrew Cuomo tried to make political bank during the heated Democratic mayoral primary Wednesday — by calling out his opponents' past support for the 'Defund the Police' movement.
The former governor claimed the eight other candidates onstage during the highly-anticipated WNBC, WNJU and Politico New York debate had called for less money to flow to police.
'We wouldn't need more police if we didn't defund them in the first place,' Cuomo said.
The attack prompted the Rev. Michael Blake – who emerged as the debate's breakout star in its first hour – to call out Cuomo for allegedly saying 'defund the police' when he served as governor.
Blake pushed Cuomo to admit he used those three words.
'Are you saying you never said 'defund the police?'' he pressed.
'I used the words 'defund the police,'' Cuomo was forced to reply. 'I said I don't support 'defund the police.''
Cuomo gave the 'defund' movement legitimacy in 2021 while still in office when he said it was one of two schools of thought with the other option giving more money to law enforcement.
The 'defund' attacks didn't just center around Cuomo.
Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who is gaining Cuomo in the polls, was criticized by longshot candidate Whitney Tilson for past X post that called the NYPD 'wicked & corrupt.'
The resurfaced post from 2020 is still live on Mamdani's account.
It responded to a ProPublica investigation about alleged abuses by the NYPD's vice squad.
'There is no negotiating with an institution this wicked & corrupt,' Mamdani had posted.
'Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence.'
Mamdani responded to the attacks by calling NYPD a critical part of public safety in the city and arguing rank-and-file cops don't want to be handling mental health calls that other professionals can better handle.
The two top Democratic candidates — Cuomo and Mamdani — also battled over President Trump.
'I am the last person on this stage that Mr. Trump wants to see as mayor,' Cuomo said when asked how he will deal with the president.
Trump would cut through Mamdani 'like a hot knife through butter' if the socialist is elected mayor, Cuomo argued.
Moments later, Mamdani also sought to add that the Trump-foe feather to his cap.
'I am Donald Trump's worst nightmare, as a progressive Muslim immigrant who actually fights for the things that I believe in and the difference between myself and Andrew Cuomo,' he said.
