Mamdani’s team reportedly clashing with socialist candidate he endorsed over ICE shooting
Mamdani’s staff are reportedly angry with Democratic House candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, whom he endorsed, after she called for New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to be removed. Her criticism followed a shooting involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, while Mamdani said he had no plans to replace Tisch, exposing tension between his position and that of a political ally.
According to sources cited by the New York Post, City Hall viewed Chevalier’s public comments as undermining the mayor and had already considered her a potential liability. Chevalier criticised Tisch for referring to the criminal history of Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old Dominican Republic national shot during an immigration operation. The NYPD said Tisch was providing a factual update, while Chevalier’s campaign and City Hall were contacted for comment.
- Mamdani’s team reportedly objected to Chevalier’s attacks on Tisch.
- Mamdani said he had no plans to replace the police commissioner.
- The dispute followed an ICE shooting involving a 28-year-old man.
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New York City’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is a democratic socialist, and Darializa Avila Chevalier is a socialist seeking a seat in the US House of Representatives. Mamdani endorsed her campaign, making their political relationship relevant to how both are viewed by voters.
The city’s police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, leads the New York Police Department, while Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a federal agency that enforces immigration laws. Disagreements over policing and immigration can put city officials and political allies under pressure to explain their positions, particularly when an enforcement operation involves a shooting.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Chevalier’s supporters could argue that a police commissioner should be held accountable for how officials discuss a person shot during an immigration operation, particularly when emphasising that person’s criminal history may distract from scrutiny of the shooting. Calling for Tisch’s removal is a forceful way to press for leadership that prioritises transparency and public trust, even if it conflicts with the mayor’s position.
The case against
Mamdani’s team could argue that publicly demanding the removal of a commissioner over a factual update risks prejudging the issue and weakening confidence in city leadership before the circumstances are fully established. Maintaining Tisch in post can signal continuity and allow officials to address the shooting through investigation and evidence, while a political ally’s intervention may complicate that response.