Defund Police Admission Shocks Liberals

Former liberal NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio finally admits the radical “defund the police” mantra was a catastrophic mistake that endangered communities nationwide.

Story Highlights

De Blasio concedes “defund the police” made no sense, validating years of conservative warnings on rising crime.
He slashed NYPD budget by $1 billion in 2020 amid protests, now calls the slogan a mistake.
Police unions predicted lawlessness from cuts; de Blasio agrees alternatives like youth programs matter more.
His pivot exposes failures of leftist policies under Biden era, a win for law-and-order priorities.

De Blasio’s Damning Admission on Hannity Podcast

Bill de Blasio, former New York City mayor from 2014 to 2021, stated on Sean Hannity’s “Hang Out” podcast that the “defund the police” concept made no sense and was a mistake. He reflected on his 2020 decision to cut $1 billion from the NYPD budget during protests following George Floyd’s death. De Blasio credited police leaders’ advice for investing in youth alternatives as essential for public safety. This rare concession from a prominent Democrat aligns with conservative critiques of the movement’s dangers.

2020 Cuts Sparked by Protests and Pressure

Protests occupied City Hall Park in June 2020, demanding over $1 billion in NYPD cuts after Floyd’s death. NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer urged $1.1 billion reductions over four years to redirect funds to communities affected by police violence. De Blasio announced the $1 billion cut on June 29, trimming $500 million from capital projects, ending school safety agents, and shifting resources to public housing and youth programs. Police union head Patrick Lynch warned the moves would lead to lawlessness and shooting spikes.

Police Unions and Stakeholders Push Back

The NYPD’s Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association opposed the cuts, arguing they risked public safety amid rising crime concerns. Protester leaders like Jonathan Lykes viewed the $1 billion as a partial victory toward police abolition and equity. City Council Speaker Corey Johnson negotiated the reductions with de Blasio, who balanced protest demands with fiscal realities strained by COVID-19 losses. NYPD misconduct costs reached $1.3 billion since fiscal year 2014, fueling calls to limit police roles in mental health and homelessness responses.

Long-Term Fallout Validates Conservative Stance

Short-term cuts deferred NYPD projects and shifted funds, potentially reducing officer numbers during a spike in shootings. Long-term, pre-2020 spending trends already declined under Bloomberg and de Blasio for efficiency and social programs. Nationwide, “defund” momentum faded after 2020 crime rises, with NYC’s partial implementation avoiding full abolition. De Blasio’s admission signals the slogan’s political toxicity and bolsters arguments for strong policing to protect families and communities from government overreach.

Bill de Blasio Discovers Reality: 'Defund the Police' Made No Sense https://t.co/4DY0Z59Ik4 …..HEY BILL, IT DOES TO THE COMMUNIST…….

— PAUL MYERS (@evarsstachan8) March 20, 2026