New York City Mayor Adams harshly criticizes Mamdani for pledging to decriminalize prostitution
New York once again becomes the stage for a heated political clash. Mayor Eric Adams delivered sharp criticism against State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who recently pledged to work toward decriminalizing prostitution. Adams, firm in his commitment to strengthen the fight against crime, accused Mamdani of ignoring the devastating consequences of such a proposal and of contradicting the principles of faith he claims to represent.
In public statements, Adams emphasized that while his administration is trying to restore order in the city, Mamdani is advancing measures that, instead of protecting communities, end up normalizing crime and perpetuating sexual exploitation. The mayor directly questioned how a man who identifies as a person of faith could justify the legalization of prostitution, pointing out that even in the Quran there is no basis for such an idea.
Adams also stressed that prostitution cannot be separated from human trafficking and from the criminal networks that profit off the vulnerability of women, many of whom are forced to sell their bodies under conditions of abuse and violence. For Adams, any attempt at legalization is a betrayal of those victims and a setback in the fight against exploitation.
The debate highlights the tension within Democratic progressivism, where some factions push to decriminalize prostitution in the name of “individual rights,” while others, like Adams, focus on public safety and the protection of women victimized by trafficking. The confrontation also underscores the growing divide between the radical progressive wing of the Democratic Party and those, like Adams, who defend a more pragmatic and security-focused vision for the city.
Adams concluded his remarks by making it clear that legalizing prostitution is equivalent to opening the door to organized crime and the dehumanization of women. In his words, New York needs order—not more chaos disguised as “progressivism.”
