‘I’m not prepared to make that decision in a debate’: Maya Wiley’s spokeswoman forced to deny the pro-defund the police New York mayoral candidate plans to disarm cops after she refused to commit to keeping them armed during TV debate
- NY Attorney Letitia James recommended use of force as a last resort for cops
- Maya Wiley was asked whether she would go further and remove their guns
- She initially dodged the question then refused to answer it during a debate
- Her campaign team was forced to clarify she does not intend to disarm cops
Maya Wiley’s campaign team has been forced to deny that she intends to disarm NYPD cops after the New York mayoral candidate refused to commit to a position during a debate.
Speaking with the top five Democrat candidates on Thursday, Wiley said she was ‘not prepared to make that decision in a debate’.
After the debate, her campaign tried to clear up her answer, with spokesperson Julia Savel telling Politico: ‘It’s a ridiculous question; no one is even discussing taking guns away from cops — clearly Maya wouldn’t.’
Maya Wiley’s campaign team has been forced to deny that she intends to disarm NYPD cops
The question arose after state Attorney General Letitia James made recommendations to make use-of-force a last resort decision for law enforcement.
During Thursday’s debate among the top five Democrat mayoral candidates, Wiley was pushed on the issue of arming cops.
CBS2 reporter Marcia Kramer asked: ‘Attorney General Letitia James is proposing legislation to limit cops from firing their weapons, use of force as a last resort.
‘Some might ask, why not go all the way and take away the guns altogether like they do in 19 other countries where the bulk of the police force is unarmed.’
But Wiley initially dodged the question as she refused to commit to an answer on whether to remove cops’ guns.
Speaking with the top five Democrat candidates on Thursday, Wiley said she was ‘not prepared to make that decision in a debate’
The question arose after state Attorney General Letitia James made recommendations to make use-of-force a last resort decision for law enforcement
She said: ‘Well, look, one of the things we have to do is acknowledge that the Mayor’s job is safety — safety is job one and I’m going to keep New Yorkers safe when I’m mayor.’
Kramer then probed again if she would take away guns but Wiley continued: ‘That does mean we want smart policing. I think we know that we have a problem with illegal guns coming into this city.
‘We have the strongest gun control laws in the country, the issue is how they’re coming in.
During Thursday’s debate among the top five Democrat mayoral candidates, Wiley was pushed on the issue of arming cops
‘We do want a police department that is focused on keeping them out of the city and off our streets.’
Kramer then asked a third time: ‘But will you take the guns away from the NYPD.’
Wiley, who has been endorsed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Elizabeth Warren, responded: ‘I am not prepared to make that decision in a debate.
‘I am going to have a civilian commissioner and a civilian commission that is going to hold the police accountable and ensure we’re safe from crime but also from police violence.’
All four other candidates on the stage, Eric Adams, Kathryn Garcia, Scott Stringer and Andrew Yang, pledged to allow police to keep carrying guns.
Yang said: ‘My first act as mayor will be to go to the police and say we need you.’