Mayor Mamdani Refuses to Fire Police Commissioner After ICE Shooting

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing intense backlash from the Democratic Socialists of America and other political allies after a federal immigration agent shot and wounded Oscar Belgal, a Dominican immigrant, during an arrest attempt in Marble Hill on Thursday. The shooting occurred in front of Mr. Belgal's 5-year-old son.

Mamdani attempted to negotiate Mr. Belgal's release through phone calls with President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. While federal officials claim President Trump offered to release Belgal into the custody of the New York City Police Department, Mamdani refused the offer, stating he would not do the federal government's job for them. Mr. Belgal was subsequently taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The incident sparked protests that devolved into clashes between demonstrators and the NYPD at the scene and NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital. During these confrontations, Democratic congressional nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier was shoved to the ground by officers. Ms. Avila Chevalier and the DSA have since demanded the resignation of Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and the disbandment of the Strategic Response Group, accusing the NYPD of collaborating with ICE.

Despite condemning the treatment of Ms. Avila Chevalier and calling for the abolition of ICE, Mamdani has refused to remove Commissioner Tisch from her post. This decision has strained relations with his leftist base, who criticize him for retaining an appointee of former Mayor Eric Adams and failing to fulfill campaign promises regarding police reform.