New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing growing criticism from progressive allies demanding the dismissal of Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The dispute has brought tensions over policing, immigration enforcement and Israel into sharper focus within the coalition that helped elect him.

The controversy intensified after an ICE agent shot and wounded Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old Dominican national, during a federal enforcement operation in New York City’s Marble Hill neighborhood on October 8. Belgal was in a vehicle with his five-year-old son, who was unharmed. The Department of Homeland Security alleged that Belgal had a criminal history and links to the Trinitarios street gang, a criminal organization with roots in the Dominican Republic. Those allegations should not be treated as independent confirmation of gang membership. The shooting remains under investigation.

The incident renewed calls for the NYPD to limit its involvement in federal immigration enforcement. Activists have directed much of their criticism at Tisch, although ICE operates under federal authority and the NYPD commissioner cannot independently halt the agency’s activities in New York.

Darializa Avila Chevalier, a democratic socialist who won her Democratic primary with Mamdani’s endorsement and is expected to enter Congress next year, has called for the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group to be disbanded and Tisch to resign.

“The NYPD’s Strategic Response Group must be disbanded as quickly as possible, and Commissioner Tisch must step down,” she said, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America has also called for Tisch’s removal, arguing that the city must end police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement that the group considers unjust. The demands put Mamdani under pressure from allies seeking faster action on his policing agenda.

Tisch’s Retention Divides Supporters

Mamdani announced in November 2025 that he would retain Tisch, who was appointed by former Mayor Eric Adams. The decision preserved continuity in police leadership but drew sharply different reactions from groups with competing expectations of the new administration.

Tisch has described herself as a “proud Zionist” and has criticized some campus protests over Israel. Mamdani, by contrast, has been a prominent advocate for Palestinians and a critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

UJA-Federation of New York and the Jewish Community Relations Council were among the established Jewish organizations that welcomed the decision to retain Tisch. Some progressive activists, however, questioned her ties to the Adams administration and her positions on Israel-related demonstrations.

The anti-Israel organization Jewish Voice for Peace, which supported Mamdani during his earlier campaign for the New York State Legislature, has also called for Tisch’s dismissal.

In a statement, the group said that “Jessica Tisch’s virulent Zionist politics, connection to big tech surveillance, and commitment to sharing tactics between the NYPD and Israeli military should have led to her immediately being fired at the start of the new mayoral administration.”

These are the organization’s allegations and political assessments. The dispute reflects broader disagreements over surveillance, police practices and the relationship between American law enforcement and Israel.

Police Reform Remains a Point of Contention

Tisch’s position is not the only issue driving criticism of Mamdani. Activists have also challenged his administration over the continued existence of the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group, a unit deployed during demonstrations and other major incidents that has faced criticism from police reform advocates.

Mamdani campaigned on dismantling the unit, and its continued operation has become a measure for some supporters of whether he is delivering on his promises. Abolishing it, however, would not resolve every disagreement over police tactics or the NYPD’s relationship with federal authorities.

October 7 Protest Highlights Israel-Related Tensions

Mamdani also faced protests on October 7 after attending a memorial gathering honoring victims of the Hamas-led attacks in Israel and recognizing the loss of Jewish and Palestinian lives.

Some demonstrators called the mayor a “traitor” and “Ziohran,” a derogatory combination of his name and the word “Zionist.” Protesters accused him of failing to advance the pro-Palestinian positions associated with his political career and criticized his decision to retain Tisch.

Chants included, “Mayor Mamdani, you can’t hide, we accuse you of genocide.” The disruption reportedly prompted organizers to move the gathering behind police barricades.

The protest illustrated the depth of disagreement among some activists over Mamdani’s approach to Israel. It does not, however, establish that the demonstrators represent the views of his entire electoral coalition.

Antisemitism Policy Adds to the Debate

Mamdani has also faced criticism over his approach to combating antisemitism and his response to Israeli real estate events held at synagogues. Some anti-Israel activists object to potential public funding for organizations they identify as pro Israel.

The debate highlights competing demands on the mayor: addressing antisemitism and protecting Jewish New Yorkers while navigating disagreements over Zionism, Israel and public funding. Jewish organizations and activists hold differing views on these issues, and no single position represents the entire community.

A Test of Mamdani’s Campaign Commitments

The calls to remove Tisch have brought several disputes into a single political confrontation: the response to federal immigration enforcement, the future of a controversial police unit and disagreements over Israel.

Mamdani now faces demands from some of his supporters to accelerate policing reforms while managing a department whose leadership he chose to retain. Whether he changes course on Tisch or the Strategic Response Group remains unresolved, but his decisions will determine how his administration addresses these competing demands.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing growing pressure from progressive allies who want him to remove Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, exposing tensions within his political coalition over policing, immigration enforcement and Israel.

The dispute intensified following an October 8 incident in Marble Hill, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and wounded Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old Dominican national. Belgal was reportedly in a vehicle with his five-year-old son, who was not injured. The Department of Homeland Security cited Belgal’s alleged criminal history and claimed connections to the Trinitarios street gang. Those allegations have not been independently established here, and the shooting remains under investigation.

The incident has renewed calls from activists for New York City to restrict police cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Much of their criticism has focused on Tisch, although ICE operates under federal authority and the NYPD commissioner cannot independently suspend ICE operations.

Darializa Avila Chevalier, a socialist candidate who won her Democratic primary with Mamdani’s endorsement and is expected to enter Congress next year, has called for the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group to be dismantled and for Tisch to resign.

“The NYPD’s Strategic Response Group must be disbanded as quickly as possible, and Commissioner Tisch must step down,” she said, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America has also demanded Tisch’s removal, arguing that the city should end police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement practices the organization considers unjust.

Tisch’s Retention Divides Supporters

Mamdani chose to retain Tisch in November 2025, despite her having been appointed by former Mayor Eric Adams. The decision has become a source of friction between the mayor and some of the progressive groups that helped propel his political rise.

Tisch has described herself as a “proud Zionist” and has criticized certain campus demonstrations related to Israel. Mamdani, meanwhile, has been a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights and a critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

Jewish communal organizations, including UJA-Federation of New York and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, welcomed Tisch’s continued leadership. Some progressive activists have objected to her ties to the previous administration and her public positions on Israel.

Jewish Voice for Peace has been particularly critical of the commissioner, stating: “Jessica Tisch’s virulent Zionist politics, connection to big tech surveillance, and commitment to sharing tactics between the NYPD and Israeli military should have led to her immediately being fired at the start of the new mayoral administration.”

The statement reflects the organization’s assessment of Tisch and her record; its characterizations are disputed political claims rather than established findings.

Police Reform Remains a Point of Contention

The NYPD’s Strategic Response Group has been deployed at protests and other major incidents, making it a longstanding target of police-reform advocates. Mamdani campaigned on dismantling the unit, and its continued existence has become a test of whether his administration will follow through on that commitment.

For critics, the unit represents a broader concern about the department’s approach to demonstrations and public order. For the mayor, the issue presents a challenge: responding to demands from supporters while managing a police department responsible for public safety across the city.

October 7 Protest Highlights Israel-Related Tensions

Mamdani also faced demonstrators at a memorial gathering honoring victims of the Hamas-led October 7 attacks and recognizing Jewish and Palestinian lives. Protesters denounced the mayor, calling him a “traitor” and “Ziohran,” while accusing him of failing to advance a pro-Palestinian agenda.

Some demonstrators chanted, “Mayor Mamdani, you can’t hide, we accuse you of genocide.” The event was moved behind police barricades as the disruption continued.

The protest illustrated the competing expectations placed on Mamdani by activists who broadly share his political outlook but disagree over how he should address Israel, antisemitism and the war in Gaza. The demonstrators’ views should not be taken as representative of all his voters or supporters.

Antisemitism Policy Adds to the Debate

Mamdani has also faced criticism over his approach to combating antisemitism and over Israeli real estate events held at synagogues. Some anti-Zionist activists oppose public funding for organizations they identify as pro Israel, while Jewish communal groups and other advocates have emphasized the need to protect Jewish New Yorkers and confront antisemitism.