Mayor Mamdani Faces Backlash from His Own Leftist Base Over Police Stance

Mayor Mamdani, celebrated for his anti-police, anti-Israel and tax-the-rich platform, is now the target of criticism from the very left-wing activists who helped him win office. Darializa Avila Chevalier, a mayoral hopeful, accused NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch of violating sanctuary-city policies after an ICE operation injured a wanted immigrant with a child in the car. Chevalier’s outburst, posted on social media, was interpreted by city staff as a direct challenge to Mamdani’s authority, especially since she had previously counted on his support.

The columnist draws a parallel to Lyndon Johnson’s experience in the 1960s, when civil-rights leaders turned against him despite his sweeping reforms. The piece warns that Mamdani’s future may hinge on how he navigates conflicts between public-safety decisions and the uncompromising expectations of his radical base.