Mamdani adds Mysonne Linen and Tamika Mallory to NYC public safety transition team
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani named Mysonne Linen and Tamika Mallory to his NYC public safety and criminal justice transition team; Linen — a rapper-turned-activist and leader with Until Freedom — was convicted in two 1999 Bronx taxi-robbery cases and served seven years, while Mallory is a controversial activist who has previously said “one day we can abolish police.” Mamdani defended the appointments as part of a 400-plus-member, 17-committee transition intended to incorporate diverse experiences, even as groups including Jews Fight Back criticized the selections.
📌 Key Facts
- Zohran Mamdani appointed rapper-turned-activist Mysonne Linen to his transition team's Public Safety and Criminal Justice committees.
- The appointment was announced Nov. 26 via an Instagram post by Until Freedom, an organization where Linen is a leader.
- Linen was convicted in 1999 in two Bronx taxi-robbery cases, was identified by both cab drivers, served seven years, has maintained he was falsely accused, and has since been active in anti-violence and civic initiatives.
- The appointment drew backlash, including criticism from the group Jews Fight Back on X.
- Mamdani defended the pick, saying he wants to incorporate the experiences and analysis of "all New Yorkers" to "build a city for each and every person," and noting his transition includes more than 400 New Yorkers serving on 17 committees.
📊 Relevant Data
In New York City in 2024, Black individuals accounted for 58.8% of known robbery suspects, while comprising approximately 24% of the city's population.
Crime and Enforcement Activity in New York City — New York City Police Department
Black Americans are seven times more likely than White Americans to be falsely convicted of serious crimes.
Study Shows Race Is Substantial Factor in Wrongful Convictions — Equal Justice Initiative
In 2023, nearly 61% of exonerees in the United States were Black, while Black people comprise 13% of the U.S. population.
National Registry of Exonerations' Annual Report Finds Majority of Exonerees Are People of Color and Official Misconduct Is the Main Cause of Wrongful Convictions — Death Penalty Information Center
📊 Analysis & Commentary (6)
"A critical City Journal commentary warns that Mamdani’s appointment of Tamika Mallory and like‑minded activists to his safety advisory team signals an anti‑police influence that risks undermining effective policing and coherent public‑safety policy, even as Mamdani offers mixed signals by retaining the NYPD commissioner."
"The City Journal piece critiques Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani’s turn to activist NGOs and figures (exemplified by naming Tamika Mallory to his safety team) as a risky governing model that privileges movement influence over professional, accountable public‑safety institutions."
"A critical City Journal column argues that Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani’s selection of Mysonne Linen and Tamika Mallory for his public‑safety transition team signals an anti‑police, activist‑first approach that risks undermining policing, officer morale, and public safety in New York."
"A Fox News opinion piece uses an Uber‑ride anecdote to argue that antisemitic and theocratic views are becoming normalized in New York—blaming Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani’s rhetoric—and contrasts that with examples from Israel to urge firmer political repudiation of extremism to protect Jewish communities."
"The WSJ commentary uses Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory as a symbol of a rising national progressive insurgency—fueled by Bernie Sanders and outside money—that the author argues is imperiling Democratic prospects by forcing retirements and primarying incumbents, while national party institutions stand largely passive."
"A critical City Journal take arguing that Mamdani’s appointment of activist figures to his public‑safety transition team (e.g., Mysonne Linen, Tamika Mallory) reveals an extreme, risky approach that threatens pragmatic governance, public‑safety cooperation, and broad political support."
📰 Sources (3)
- Mamdani publicly explained why he appointed Mysonne Linen, saying he wants to incorporate the experiences and analysis of 'all New Yorkers' to 'build a city for each and every person.'
- He detailed the transition structure: more than 400 New Yorkers serving on 17 committees.
- Background specifics on Linen’s convictions and sentence were reiterated: 1999 Bronx convictions in two taxi-robbery cases; he served seven years; both cab drivers testified identifying him; Linen maintained he was falsely accused.
- Zohran Mamdani appointed rapper-turned-activist Mysonne Linen to his transition team on the Public Safety and Criminal Justice committees.
- The appointment was announced Nov. 26 via an Instagram post by Until Freedom, where Linen is a leader.
- Background: Linen was convicted in the late 1990s of two armed robberies of taxi drivers and served seven years; he has since been active in anti-violence and civic initiatives.
- Backlash noted from group Jews Fight Back, which criticized the appointment on X.