Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani achieved a surprising victory in the Democratic primary in New York City, with his stance on policing drawing significant attention and criticism.

Joe Gamaldi, the National Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police, expressed to Fox News Digital that Mamdani’s previous statements reflect a dangerously extreme viewpoint.

“Anyone still advocating for defunding the police is completely out of touch,” Gamaldi remarked. “This is especially true after witnessing the devastating effects on our urban areas. It led to uncontrolled crime, record-high murder rates in over a dozen cities, and severely diminished the quality of life for millions.”

Criticism of Mamdani’s past statements on the Defund the Police movement has come from both Republicans and Democrats after his earlier comments resurfaced.

His current platform includes the creation of a Department of Community Safety to handle non-violent incidents that he believes would get to the root cause of crime. Mamdani’s public safety plan includes reallocating $600 million from existing programs and raising taxes on wealthy New Yorkers to fund the new department.

He has also spoken about reducing police overtime and cutting the NYPD’s $80 million communications budget.

A protest group demonstrates against President Trump’s immigrant deportation directives inside of Trump Tower on Jun. 9, 2025, in New York City. After about 40 minutes of demonstrating, the NYPD’s strategic Defense Unit arrived and detained approximately 20 protesters. (Stephanie Keith for Fox News Digital)

Gamaldi said that Mamdani’s comment on policing is little more than political posturing, saying that he embraces “this failed social experiment.”

“I find it funny, because the very people Mamdani purports to care about — lower income, disenfranchised — are the very people who were impacted the most by defunding police departments,” he said. “Truth is, he is a radical ideologue more concerned with pushing his far-left agenda than the safety of New Yorkers or the brave men and women of the NYPD.”

Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani appears on stage with his family including his wife, Rama Duwaji, right, at his primary election party, Wednesday, Jun. 25, 2025, in New York.  (Heather Khalifa/AP Photo)

With a cost-of-living-focused platform, a volunteer-powered campaign, and a savvy social media presence, Mamdani has rapidly vaulted into the frontrunner position in New York City’s mayoral race. 

Endorsed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and buoyed by grassroots enthusiasm, the 33-year-old assemblymember has captured the imagination of a younger, more progressive electorate. 

If elected, Mamdani would become the city’s youngest mayor in over a century, surpassing even John Purroy Mitchel, who briefly held the office in 1917 at the age of 37.