New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani rejected calls from the Democratic Socialists of America and congressional nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier to fire NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, following an immigration enforcement shooting.
Mamdani Rejects Commissioner Dismissal Demands
Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated that he has no plans
to remove NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, pushing back against mounting pressure from his democratic socialist allies following protests over an ICE-involved shooting in the Bronx. Mamdani defended his decision to retain Tisch by pointing to her record of tackling corruption within the department and declining crime numbers during their ten months working together. Ahead of a ceremony honoring fallen NYPD officers alongside Tisch at the New York City Police Memorial in Battery Park City, Mamdani reiterated his position to reporters, noting that Tisch was doing her job effectively. Scott Munro, president of the Detectives’ Endowment Association, also stated his belief that the mayor supports the commissioner because crime is down. Former Mayor Eric Adams, who originally appointed Tisch in 2024 following a stint leading the Sanitation Department, applauded Mamdani’s choice to keep her in the role, while Governor Kathy Hochul similarly urged the mayor to let her stay on to maintain public safety gains. When the decision was initially made, moderate groups and establishment Jewish organizations such as the UJA-Federation of New York and the Jewish Community Relations Council viewed Tisch—who comes from a prominent Jewish family and describes herself as a proud Zionist—as a reassuring presence, whereas progressive groups expressed skepticism due to her past criticism of campus pro-Palestinian protests.
The friction erupted after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot 28-year-old Oscar Belgal in his car on October 8, 2026, in Marble Hill, as his five-year-old son sat in the back seat. Federal officials stated that Belgal, a Dominican national, was shot after allegedly refusing to comply with officers’ orders. Following the incident, Mamdani spent two hours on the phone in an unsuccessful attempt to negotiate Belgal’s release with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and President Donald Trump. On Friday, Mullin stated that Trump offered to release Belgal to the custody of the NYPD, but Mamdani refused the offer. Belgal remains in federal custody.
Darializa Avila Chevalier and DSA Push for Tisch’s Removal
The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America issued a statement demanding that Tisch be fired if she cannot drive federal immigration enforcement out of the city. Seventeen public officials and candidates associated with the DSA signed a letter stating that Tisch must get ICE out of New York and end police complicity with federal agents. Other figures, including State Assembly members Julia Salazar, Jabari Brisport, Kristen Gonzalez, Claire Valdez, Emily Gallagher, Marcela Mitaynes, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Sarahana Shrestha, and Ilapa Sairitupac, joined the chorus demanding Tisch’s removal.
Darializa Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist and congressional nominee endorsed by Mamdani, joined protests at the scene and was pushed to the ground by police officers. She publicly called for Tisch’s resignation and demanded that the department’s tactical unit be dismantled.
City Hall staffers grew outraged over Avila Chevalier’s public rhetoric, viewing her social media posts and demands as a direct undermining of the mayor. Sources within the administration noted that officials were worried disorder during anti-ICE protests could give the federal government an excuse to flood city streets. Meanwhile, the anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice for Peace also joined the calls for Tisch’s dismissal, compounding the political pressure on the mayor.
Police Reform Reviews and Sanctuary City Disputes
Critics accused the NYPD of violating sanctuary city policies by clearing paths for ICE vehicles and aggressively arresting protesters. Richard Esposito, a police analyst and former NYPD deputy commissioner, defended the department’s actions, stating that clearing roads for federal agents is standard, safe procedure. An NYPD spokesperson defended the commissioner’s press conference details regarding Belgal’s criminal background, stating that providing criminal history during incident updates is standard practice and responsive to media inquiries.
In response to the unrest, Mamdani directed the NYPD to conduct a comprehensive review of the 24 hours surrounding the incident. The evaluation covers the shooting itself, the police department’s response, the ensuing protests, and ICE’s use of a private parking lot as a staging location. The mayor also announced broader reforms aimed at strengthening accountability when police officers face accusations of serious misconduct.