Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist state assemblyman and current front-runner in the New York City mayoral race, has issued a public apology to NYPD officers for his past remarks criticizing the police force.

During an interview with Fox News host Martha MacCallum, Mamdani acknowledged his 2020 comments that described the NYPD as “racist, anti-queer, and a major threat to public safety.” He expressed regret for those statements and emphasized his commitment to rebuilding trust and collaboration between city leadership and law enforcement.

Mamdani explained that his apology had first been shared privately with rank-and-file officers before going public. He underscored the need for a balanced approach, pledging to focus on serious crimes while also addressing social service gaps that often place an unfair burden on police officers.

The candidate’s remarks signal a notable shift from his earlier “defund the police” stance during the George Floyd protests, as he now seeks common ground on critical issues such as mental health response amid increasing 911 call times—from 10 to 16 minutes.