The Political Insider

On Thursday, Democratic New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, contrary to some of his far-left colleagues, said that in New York City the push to defund the police is “dead.” 

Torres made his perhaps surprising remarks during an interview on MSNBC.

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Rep. Torres: ‘The defund police movement is dead in New York City and good riddance’

MSNBC host José Díaz-Balart asked the congressman for his response to new Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams, himself a former police officer, recently saying that defunding the police does not work.

Torres replied that he agrees.

“I agree with the Mayor,” Torres said. “The defund police movement is dead in New York City and good riddance.”

He wasn’t done yet.

Torres continued, “And any elected official who is advocating for the abolition or even the defunding of police is out of touch with reality and should not be taken seriously.”

Perhaps Torres’ fellow New York colleague, far-left Rep. Alexandria Ocasi0-Cortez, a “defund the police” enthusiast, should have a listen.

Torres, a freshman member, won his election with 89% of the vote. It’s safe to say he’s not pandering to more conservative voters in a competitive district.

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Crime A Major Issue

Crime has become a major issue, and not just in New York City. 

Biden press secretary Jen Psaki has been confronted on the issue numerous times in recent weeks, and she has sought to radically distance the President from the far-left and those who want to defund the police.

Last week, New York City held a funeral for a police officer killed in the line of duty.

Officers Jason Rivera, just 22-years-old, died after being shot in the head. During his eulogy, Rivera’s widow Dominique Luzuriaga attacked the city’s district attorney for being soft on crime. 

“The system continues to fail us. We are not safe anymore, not even the members of the service,” she decried. “I know you were tired of these laws, especially the ones from the new DA. I hope he’s watching you speak through me right now.”