Former NYPD Chief John Chell joined Newsmax on Tuesday to voice strong concerns about what he called a “dangerous” future for New York City now that democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has won the mayoral election.
Reflecting on his experience as a 9/11 first responder, Chell criticized Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, for invoking the attacks while campaigning.
“It’s offensive to use 9/11 for any political platform,” Chell said during an appearance on “Finnerty” just prior to the official announcement of Mamdani’s victory.
“I was there pulling friends and brothers from the rubble. To see someone distort that moment is disturbing,” Chell added.
Chell warned that Mamdani’s policies, such as decriminalizing prostitution, reducing police staffing, and granting disciplinary authority to the Civilian Complaint Review Board, would devastate the NYPD.
Chell warned that over 4,000 veteran officers could retire immediately if such reforms were implemented, creating what he called a “recipe for disaster.”
“We’re talking about letting a 20-year-old kid with purple hair decide whether a cop keeps their job,” he said. “If that happens, the department will collapse.”
Chell also criticized Mamdani’s support for defunding police, free public transit, and a refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. He warned that policies like eliminating the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group would make the city vulnerable to unrest and crime spikes.
After 12 years under mayors Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams, Chell said morale among officers is already low. “Cops are tired,” he said.
“They’re not going to stay for this. If this agenda moves forward, there won’t be enough police left to keep the city safe.”
Chell concluded that Mamdani’s proposed policies, combined with his past rhetoric about Israel and socialism, pose an existential threat to New York’s safety and stability.
“It’s not going to be good,” Chell warned.
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