A campaign staffer for socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was recorded dismissing the perspectives of New York City police officers, bringing attention to Mamdani’s past and evolving stance on law enforcement.
Robert Akleh, the citywide canvass manager for Mamdani’s campaign, told an operative affiliated with conservative podcaster Steven Crowder that he did not care what the police thought of the candidate. “Who gives a s–t what they think? You’re a city employee. You get told what to do. Shut up. When did you get an opinion?” Akleh remarked, referring to public employees such as NYPD officers.
The footage, captured at various locations including bars in August and September, shows Akleh making additional comments on political matters. He criticized wealthy individuals, described targeting Muslim voters to influence turnout, and outlined the campaign’s efforts to secure endorsements from Governor Kathy Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
Akleh also discussed the Democratic Socialists of America and progressive allies pressuring Hochul into endorsing Mamdani. “She gets it. She’s not stupid. She gets it,” he said, referencing the governor’s endorsement.
He further explained outreach to Muslim voters: “You organize the mosques. You get the Imams to tell people to go vote. We get Zohran to go there and talk to them. That’s how we do it. We had young lesbian white women go and hand out fliers at a mosque.”
Campaign records show Akleh has been paid approximately $40,000 so far this election cycle.
Republican congressional candidate Mike Lawler criticized Mamdani, stating, “He will be a disaster for New York.” The New York Post reached out to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch for comment, while a spokesperson for Governor Hochul declined to respond.
