DSA Demands Tisch's Firing After ICE Shooting, Testing Mamdani's Socialist Base

Key points

• On October 8, ICE agents shot Oscar Belgal in the neck in Marble Hill, Bronx, while he was in a car with his five-year-old son.
• The DSA issued a statement demanding the firing of NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and the disbanding of the Strategic Response Group and Community Response Teams.
• Mamdani stated that the NYPD was not present during the shooting and that there are no plans to change police leadership, but he will review the police response to the subsequent protests.
• DSA co-chair Grace Mausser accused NYPD officers of helping ICE by clearing roads for their vehicles, while Mamdani's spokesperson argued the police were preventing a dangerous situation.
• This dispute represents the first significant conflict between Mamdani and the DSA, which he has called his 'political home'.

Background

Mamdani's relationship with the DSA has been strained since October 7, when his statement marking the anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel focused primarily on Israel's military campaign in Gaza, leading to backlash from both his support network and the Jewish community. The current dispute over the ICE shooting is the first major policy clash between the mayor and the DSA since his election.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post and Gothamist report that the DSA is demanding Tisch's firing and the disbanding of the NYPD's Strategic Response Group. The New York Post notes that Mamdani has refused to fire Tisch, stating that the NYPD was not involved in the shooting. Gothamist highlights that the DSA has been critical of Tisch's management of the NYPD for months, including her policies on low-level offenses and the use of a gang database. The New York Post also notes that DSA congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier called for Tisch to resign, accusing her of protecting a 'militia' of armed ICE agents. Politico, in a separate story, reported on the backlash over Mamdani's October 7 statement, which focused on Israel's military campaign rather than the Hamas attack, leading to criticism from his support network and the Jewish community. This context suggests that the current dispute over the ICE shooting is part of a broader pattern of tension between Mamdani and his support base.

Why it matters

The dispute over the ICE shooting and the DSA's demand for Tisch's firing highlights the growing tensions between Mamdani and his support base. The incident also raises questions about the role of the NYPD in federal immigration enforcement and the potential for further clashes between the city and the federal government. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for Mamdani's ability to govern and for the future of the DSA's relationship with the mayor.

What to watch

Mamdani has promised a review of the 24-hour period following the shooting, including the police response to the incident and the ensuing protests. It is unclear whether this review will lead to any changes in NYPD leadership or policy. The DSA is likely to continue to press for the firing of Tisch and the disbanding of the Strategic Response Group. The outcome of this dispute will likely depend on the findings of the review and the ability of Mamdani to balance the demands of his support base with the need to maintain a functional relationship with the NYPD.