NYC Mayor's Past 'Defund the NYPD' Posts Resurface After Gracie Mansion Attack

Zohran Mamdani's old social media comments spark debate after terror incident

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Old social media posts from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani calling to 'defund the NYPD' have resurfaced online following a recent terror attack outside Gracie Mansion. The posts, dating back to 2020, show Mamdani supporting demonstrations demanding major cuts to the New York City Police Department's budget. The resurfaced comments have sparked renewed political debate over public safety in the city, with critics pointing to Mamdani's past statements in the aftermath of the attack.

Why it matters

The Gracie Mansion attack has reignited a contentious political debate over policing and public safety in New York City. Mamdani's past 'defund the police' rhetoric has become a flashpoint, with opponents using it to question his commitment to law enforcement in the wake of the incident.

The details

Two suspects, Emir Balat and Ibraham Kayumi, were arrested and charged with terrorism for allegedly throwing improvised explosive devices during a protest outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the New York City mayor. Authorities say the suspects were self-radicalized and inspired by ISIS ideology when they carried out the attempted attack.

  • The social media posts from Mamdani date back to 2020, during nationwide protests after the killing of George Floyd.
  • The Gracie Mansion attack occurred on January 28, 2026.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City who has faced criticism over his past 'defund the police' rhetoric in the wake of the Gracie Mansion attack.

Jessica Tisch

The New York City Police Commissioner who held a press conference with Mayor Mamdani at the scene of the Gracie Mansion attack.

Emir Balat

One of the two suspects arrested and charged with terrorism for the attempted attack outside Gracie Mansion.

Ibraham Kayumi

One of the two suspects arrested and charged with terrorism for the attempted attack outside Gracie Mansion.

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What they’re saying

“We marched by the thousands to demand they #DefundTheNYPD.”

— Zohran Mamdani (Social media post)

What’s next

The investigation into the Gracie Mansion attack remains ongoing, and officials across New York continue to debate security, protest activity, and policing policy following the incident.

The takeaway

The resurfaced 'defund the police' comments from Mayor Mamdani have become a political flashpoint, with critics using them to question his commitment to public safety in the wake of the Gracie Mansion attack. This incident has reignited a broader debate over policing and security in New York City.