DSA Targets Tisch, Not Mamdani, Amid ICE Shooting Fallout

Key points

• DSA members are demanding the firing of NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and the disbanding of the SRG, but have largely avoided criticizing Mayor Zohran Mamdani, despite his authority to make such changes.
• Mamdani defended Tisch, stating the NYPD was not involved in the ICE shooting, and ordered a use-of-force review with $2.6 million in additional funding for police oversight.
• Oscar Belgal, 28, remains in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn with a bullet lodged in his neck; his lawyers claim he is in solitary confinement and needs surgery.
• Belgal's five-year-old son, who was in the car during the shooting, has stopped speaking and is experiencing nightmares, according to his mother and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
• Some DSA allies, including socialist congressional candidate Andre Easton, are now directly calling on Mamdani to hold ICE accountable and enforce executive orders, signaling a growing divide within the group.

Background

This incident follows a series of recent tensions between Mayor Mamdani and his DSA base, including disagreements over his stance on Israel and Gaza in early October. The ICE shooting in the Bronx on October 8 has intensified these internal conflicts, as the DSA has historically supported Mamdani's anti-ICE and anti-police positions. The mayor's decision to support Tisch and not immediately disband the SRG, despite campaigning on such promises, has led to criticism from within his own political coalition.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post highlights the perceived hypocrisy of DSA members targeting Tisch while ignoring Mamdani, who has the power to disband the SRG. The New York Daily News focuses on the human impact, particularly the trauma of Belgal's son and the political responses from Gov. Hochul and President Trump. Retail Dive examines the broader implications for retailers, noting that Target denied cooperating with ICE but faces pressure over its parking lot's use as a staging area. Fox 5 New York emphasizes the legal and medical plight of Belgal, citing his lawyers' claims of deplorable conditions in federal jail. The sources differ in their emphasis: the Post and Daily News focus on political dynamics and human impact, while Retail Dive and Fox 5 highlight the legal and commercial aspects of the incident.

Why it matters

The incident underscores the limits of local power over federal immigration enforcement and the internal fractures within progressive political movements. It also raises questions about the accountability of local leaders and the impact of federal actions on local communities. The ongoing legal and medical issues for Belgal, as well as the trauma experienced by his son, highlight the human cost of immigration enforcement and the need for clear policies and accountability.

What to watch

Mamdani's use-of-force review and the additional funding for police oversight may lead to changes in NYPD procedures. The DSA's internal divisions may continue to grow, potentially affecting future political alliances. Belgal's legal case will proceed in federal court, with his next hearing scheduled for Tuesday. The debate over ICE's use of private property for staging may lead to new policies or legislation at the local and federal levels.