WASHINGTON — Lefty California Rep. Ro Khanna has advised The Submit that socialist New York Metropolis Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is simply too radical even for him on a minimum of one main problem — his commie economics.
Khanna, a self-described “progressive capitalist,” mentioned in an unique interview Monday that Mamdani went too far by expressing help for “seizing the technique of manufacturing” as just lately as 2021 and claimed he “strongly disagreed” with the notion.
“I imagine, clearly, in innovation and free enterprise,” Khanna mentioned.
Nonetheless, the California Dem insisted Gotham will fare simply wonderful economically below Mamdani’s management, though he mentioned he already warned the incoming mayor to face crime head-on — and to “go overboard’’ in reassuring Jewish residents he’ll shield them.
“I feel the largest place — and I’ve advised him this instantly — that he can’t mess up is on crime,” Khanna mentioned, including that he urged Mamdani to reassure NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch that his time period received’t ignore public-safety points.
Mamdani denied whereas campaigning that he nonetheless supported “defunding the police” however has since tapped a lefty political strategist who backs the anti-cop motion.
Former prime brass on the NYPD warned earlier than the election that officers could even start fleeing the pressure if Mamdani received.
Influential metropolis rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, in a chilling sermon after the election, additionally claimed Mamdani’s victory might “severely threaten Jewish security in every single place within the metropolis.”
“I feel he must go overboard in assuring the Jewish-American neighborhood they’re going to be protected,” Khanna mentioned of Mamdani, who has been accused of being an antisemite.
However Khanna sought to reassure voters that he expects Mamdani might be a “pragmatic” mayor in Gracie Mansion — and resist being overly “ideological.
“His election was a sea change in what’s electable,” the Silicon Valley Democrat mentioned. “I imply, if a man like him can win, wow. I didn’t suppose he would win. … I did after the first.”
Mamdani’s platform centered on problems with affordability and the financial system, with marketing campaign guarantees to subsidize government-run grocery shops, freeze rents and cowl bus fares for New Yorkers — all whereas elevating taxes on companies by as much as 11.5% yearly.
“New York goes to be nice. I imply, it’s the monetary capital of the world,” Khanna mentioned, claiming Mamdani was “not speaking about controlling the monetary capital or tech corporations.
“He’s saying, ‘Look, folks must get lease that they’ll’t afford. Folks must have childcare that they’ll afford. Folks must have meals that they’ll afford.’
“I name myself an FDR Democrat,” Khanna mentioned.
“I name myself a progressive capitalist. I imagine in ethical capitalism. However I imagine that it has not been working for too many People proper now.”
