Rudy Giuliani is sounding the alarm about New York City’s next mayor — and he isn’t holding back. The former mayor says socialist mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani could create the “most dangerous” situation the city has ever seen if he follows through on his pledge to stop clearing homeless encampments.
Giuliani argues that ending sweeps would turn homeless camps into what he calls a “ticking time bomb,” claiming many people living on the streets struggle with severe mental health issues, including paranoid schizophrenia. He believes isolation makes those conditions dramatically worse.
“The thing paranoid schizophrenics need is contact,” Giuliani said, warning that untreated mental illness can escalate into violence. He predicts Mamdani’s policy shift could reverse decades of crime reduction and lead to a crisis “not seen since the early 1990s.”
Why Giuliani Thinks the Stakes Are So High
Giuliani ties his fears to the city’s history. He compared Mamdani to former Mayor David Dinkins, pointing out both were members of the Democratic Socialists of America. For Giuliani, that connection signals political and policing strategies he believes failed in the past.
Polls suggest many Americans are uneasy about the homeless crisis: a recent AP-NORC/Harris survey found 43 percent favor clearing homeless encampments, while only 25 percent oppose it. And a 2024 Supreme Court ruling confirmed that cities have the authority to enforce bans on sleeping in public spaces.
Even Democratic leaders such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have backed policies that clear encampments — a point Giuliani says underscores the seriousness of the issue.
Praise for Adams, Skepticism for Mamdani
Giuliani had unusually kind words for outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, saying he inherited a mess after Bill de Blasio and has managed to move the city “halfway back” when it comes to safety.
He also applauded Mamdani’s decision to keep NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch in place — but questioned how long that relationship will survive political pressure from the left.
Giuliani says Mamdani may want to govern more moderately, but he doubts the DSA and other progressive groups will allow it.
What Happens Next?
Giuliani now lives in Palm Beach but still visits New York often. He insists the city still “looks pretty good,” yet he’s bracing for what comes after Adams leaves office.
“I’m just really very concerned about what will happen next,” he said.
Mamdani’s office has not responded to the criticism.
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