A tragic shooting rocked Midtown Manhattan, but where was the city’s mayoral hopeful?
On Tuesday evening, Shane D. Tamura, a Nevada native, unleashed chaos in an office building housing the NFL headquarters, killing an NYPD officer and three civilians before taking his own life, while Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani was absent, attending his wedding celebration in Uganda, as the Washington Free Beacon reports.
The rampage left New Yorkers reeling, demanding leadership from a candidate who was thousands of miles away. Mamdani returned to the city Wednesday morning, but his absence during the crisis sparked outrage among residents. Many feel a future mayor should prioritize the city over personal celebrations.
“He should have been here,” said Pete Panuccio, a former NYPD detective, slamming Mamdani’s absence during the tragedy. His absence at a time when New Yorkers needed reassurance fuels skepticism about his commitment. Panuccio’s quip that cops wouldn’t want Mamdani at the funeral stings with truth.
Mamdani issued a statement praising first responders, saying, “Grateful for all of our first responders on the ground.” Crocodile tears, some say, from a man who once called the NYPD “racist” and “anti-queer.” His words ring hollow when he’s jet-setting during a crisis.
The Uganda trip wasn’t Mamdani’s first lavish getaway; he partied in Dubai last year and held a civil ceremony in New York in May. New Yorkers wonder if their would-be mayor is more interested in globetrotting than governing. This third wedding celebration raises eyebrows about his priorities.
Mamdani’s choice to visit Uganda, despite U.S. State Department warnings of execution risks for LGBT Americans, shows reckless judgment. The country’s record of arbitrary killings and violence against journalists makes it a curious destination for a mayoral candidate. Yet Mamdani partied on, oblivious to the optics.
Back in New York, Mamdani’s absence wasn’t the only point of contention. His past social media posts, including one mocking a crying police officer with “nature is healing,” reveal a troubling disdain for law enforcement. He later called that tweet “out of step” with his campaign, but the damage was done.
During the 2020 unrest following George Floyd’s murder, Mamdani claimed his anti-police rhetoric reflected widespread frustration. “I am not running to defund the police,” he now insists, backpedaling from his earlier calls to gut NYPD funding. Voters aren’t buying the flip-flop.
Mamdani’s proposal for a “Department of Community Safety” to handle gun violence and hate crimes sounds like a progressive pipe dream. Critics argue it sidesteps the NYPD’s role in maintaining order. His suggestion that police shouldn’t handle domestic violence calls further alienates those who value law enforcement.
New York City Council member Bob Holden didn’t mince words: “The fact that he could go to Uganda and have his third wedding celebration with millions of dollars and guards -- Democrats are not holding him accountable.” Holden’s frustration reflects a broader sentiment that Mamdani’s priorities are misaligned. His absence during the shooting only amplifies this distrust.
“His followers are sheeple,” Holden added, criticizing Mamdani’s base for blindly supporting his rhetoric. The councilman’s blunt assessment resonates with New Yorkers fed up with performative politics. Mamdani’s progressive posturing seems to charm only the most gullible.
Mamdani’s foreign policy views also raise red flags, like his pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if elected, citing an International Criminal Court warrant. He dodged a debate question about visiting Israel, later claiming the country would bar him for supporting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. These positions alienate voters who want a mayor focused on local issues.
“I’ll be standing up for Jewish New Yorkers,” Mamdani told progressive Jews on the Upper West Side. Yet his anti-Israel stance and absence during a crisis undermine his credibility. New Yorkers want a leader who shows up, not one making grand promises from afar.
Tucker Carlson noted Mamdani’s claim to focus on New York during a primary debate, saying, “He said, ‘I wouldn’t go anywhere.’” The irony of Mamdani’s Uganda trip isn’t lost on observers. Madeline Brame, a local voice, summed it up: “I want him to stay over there so people can see him for who he really is.”
