Hochul Won’t Say How Mamdani Should Make Amends to NYPD After Anti-Cop Remarks

NEW YORK — Gov. Kathy Hochul declined Tuesday to say how mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani should make amends to the NYPD for his past anti-police statements, signaling continued reluctance to weigh in on a controversy surrounding the Democratic candidate after Hochul endorsed him last week.

During an unrelated appearance at Grand Central Terminal, a New York Post reporter pressed Hochul on whether Mamdani should publicly apologize for remarks such as a 2020 tweet that described the NYPD as “racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety.” Hochul did not answer, walking away as a spokesman said she would not discuss the matter further. Hochul has previously said an apology would be appropriate in light of those remarks. Mamdani, meanwhile, offered a broad response at a Bronx rally last week, saying the core of his politics is not about theater or messaging to the media, but about conversations with officers that underpin his campaign’s approach.

In the hours after her endorsement, Hochul’s team clarified that she did not hear the question about what Mamdani should do next and would not articulate a stance on his obligation to police. A spokesperson said the governor would be involved in broader law-enforcement decisions going forward, including the selection of the next police commissioner if Mamdani wins the November election.

Hochul’s endorsement places her in a visible, if delicate, position on a topic that has repeatedly tested the relationship between progressive reform advocates and the city’s police department. Mamdani, who represents parts of Queens in the state Assembly, faces a crowded field in the November 4 general election that includes Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent candidates, notably incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The contest has already highlighted tensions between advocates for police reform and supporters of a tougher approach to crime and policing, a balance that remains central to New York City politics as the election nears.

Officials and observers note that Hochul’s stance could influence campaign dynamics in a race that hinges as much on crime and public safety as on housing, transit, and economic recovery. While she signaled openness to participating in law-enforcement leadership decisions, she has stopped short of prescribing a specific path for Mamdani regarding his past statements or a formal apology, leaving that issue to the voters and the candidate’s own campaign strategy.

The exchange underscores the broader political environment in which the race unfolds: a city grappling with how far to go in reforming policing while seeking to maintain public safety and reassure police leadership and officers. As the November ballot approaches, the extent to which Hochul’s endorsement helps or hinders Mamdani remains a focal point for both supporters and critics of the candidate’s positions on policing.