Robert De Niro calls mayor’s police comments ‘ridiculous’ while backing 9/11 memorial attendance

Actor Robert De Niro recently weighed in on the contentious debate surrounding New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s attendance at the upcoming 25th anniversary 9/11 memorial ceremony. While acknowledging the mayor’s past remarks on law enforcement as “ridiculous,” De Niro firmly asserted that Mamdani, as the city’s leader, should participate in the solemn remembrance. The discussion unfolds amidst heightened political tensions threatening to overshadow the significant milestone commemorating the devastating attacks.

Mayor Mamdani faces intense scrutiny and a substantial public outcry regarding his controversial rhetoric and reported affiliations, particularly from Republican figures and families directly impacted by the 2001 World Trade Center tragedy. These groups have vocally demanded his exclusion from the commemorative events, citing a history of contentious statements and alleged links to individuals with extremist views.

De Niro defends mayoral presence amid criticism

During an interview, De Niro was directly asked about Mayor Mamdani’s participation in the 9/11 memorial. The veteran actor expressed that he saw no reason for the mayor to be absent. “He’s the mayor,” De Niro stated, emphasizing the need to “give the guy a chance” as he “is not a part of what happened” on that tragic day. He also acknowledged the profound grief of the victims’ families, stating, “I understand their pain, but I still think he should be there.”

De Niro, an outspoken liberal voice, did not, however, shy away from criticizing Mamdani’s specific comments regarding the police. When pressed on the mayor’s past calls to “defund the police,” De Niro unequivocally labeled the sentiment as “ridiculous.” He added, “You can’t defund the police. It’s not going to happen.” Despite this disagreement, De Niro maintained his belief that the mayor’s attendance could serve as an opportunity to “build a bridge” and unite the community during the remembrance.

Mayor Mamdani’s record sparks widespread backlash

The controversy surrounding Mayor Mamdani’s presence at the 9/11 memorial is fueled by a series of past statements and associations that have drawn significant criticism. A key point of contention is his rhetoric during the 2020 George Floyd protests, where he advocated to “defund the police” and characterized the NYPD as “racist, anti-queer and a major threat to public safety.”

Beyond his stance on law enforcement, Mamdani has faced scrutiny for alleged ties to individuals and groups with extremist views. These include:

• Praising Brooklyn Imam Siraj Wahhaj, who was named an alleged co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and provided a character witness testimony for the “Blind Sheikh,” convicted of plotting terror attacks.
• Endorsing candidates like Aber Kawas, who described 9/11 as an attack “in the context of U.S. capitalism, racism, White supremacy, and Islamophobia” and expressed sympathy for Ahmed Ferhani, who pleaded guilty to plotting to bomb a Manhattan synagogue.
• Associating with far-left activist Hasan Piker, who once controversially stated that the United States “deserved” the 9/11 attacks, comments Piker later retracted but which continue to haunt his political circle.
• Handing a ceremonial pen from a 9/11 remembrance ceremony to his chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem, who previously represented Ahmed al-Darbi, a convicted al Qaeda member and brother-in-law of Khalid al-Mihdhar, a hijacker on American Airlines Flight 77.
• As a rapper, praising the “Holy Land Five,” a group convicted of providing material support to Hamas, an Islamist terrorist organization.

Calls for exclusion intensify ahead of ceremony

The mounting anger over Mayor Mamdani’s record has culminated in significant opposition to his attendance at the 9/11 anniversary events. An online petition, spearheaded by family members of those killed on September 11, garnered over 100,000 signatures, explicitly demanding that Mamdani refrain from participating in the memorial. Organizers of the petition highlighted his “hostile” history and associations as disqualifying factors for a role in such a sensitive remembrance.

Rafael Mangual, head of research for the Manhattan Institute’s Policing & Public Safety Initiative, challenged De Niro’s perspective, arguing that the actor and his interviewer “sorely missed the mark” in assessing Mamdani’s controversial background. Mangual underscored that the mayor’s past expressions of animosity towards the NYPD—whose members bravely responded on 9/11—are not the sole basis for the families’ desire for his absence. He pointed to Mamdani’s broader history of affiliations and statements as significant justifications for the widespread anger.

Critics question De Niro’s political engagement

The actor’s comments also drew criticism from some political commentators. Christian Toto, an entertainment commentator, suggested that The Hollywood Reporter, which published the interview, “eggs on” De Niro without fact-checking because it aligns with his anti-Trump and anti-GOP sentiments. Toto argued that De Niro lacks comprehensive information on key political subjects, particularly concerning Mayor Mamdani’s controversial past comments and associations, labeling the actor a “useful idiot for the left.”

In the same interview, De Niro offered a much sharper critique of former President Donald Trump, stating, “We have to stop him. It’s insane. We have to send people to voting booths and make sure they can go in. Just watch to keep them safe. It’s crazy we’re here, but this is where we are. We have to protect our elections.” This stark contrast in his reactions to Mamdani and Trump highlights the selective nature of his political interventions, according to his critics.