Mamdani Discovers Crime Stats Improve Dramatically If You Explain Them Long Enough

New York City Mayor comrade Zohran Mamdani found himself taking incoming fire Monday after offering what may become the Left's newest crime-fighting strategy: explaining away bad statistics until everyone forgets why they were worried in the first place. That tactic is known in the military as "baffle them with your bullsht."

During an interview with PIX11 News, Mamdani was asked about concerns over rising rape and felony assault numbers raised by New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin. Rather than promising tougher enforcement or more police, the mayor reached for a familiar progressive comfort blanket, context.

"And what I think is important to know is a lot of the increase in rape also comes from an expanded definition of what counts as rape, as well as survivors coming forward for acts that took place years prior," Mamdani said. "And we are thankful for them coming forward, the courage and the bravery it takes, but just to provide New Yorkers with that context."

Translation: don't believe your lying statistics.

To be fair, Mamdani also pointed out that murders and shootings remain among the lowest on record. Unfortunately for New Yorkers, that reassurance landed about as well as telling someone their apartment fire isn't so bad because the kitchen is still standing.

Even some Democrats were less than thrilled with the explanation.

New York City Council member Susan Zhuang wrote on X, "Expanding the legal definition of rape was an important step toward recognizing more survivors under the law. But it should never be used to deflect from the responsibility to reduce sexual violence. Survivors deserve leadership, action, accountability, and justice. They don’t deserve deflection."

Women's sports advocate Riley Gaines summed up the reaction with a question many were already asking: "HOW did women vote for this guy?"

Rep, Chip Roy (R-TX), offered his own assessment: "Rapes are up. Rents are up. Foreign diseases and parasites spreading. Historic Churches burning left and right. Elect the third world, get the third world."

OutKick founder Clay Travis piled on with, "Sure, New York City rents hit an all time record high today, but at least the mayor is still very eloquent on social medi…whoops!"

RedState writer Bonchie simply observed, "Going great."

Pro-Israel activist Lizzy Savetzky added, "Didn’t realize rape had a dynamic definition."

Substack writer Jim Treacher quipped, "No wonder these guys saw no problem with Platner."

Mamdani's reference to an "expanded definition" appears to point to New York's Rape is Rape Act, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2024. The law broadened the legal definition of rape to include forms of nonconsensual sexual assault beyond vaginal penetration.

That explanation, however, leaves one awkward detail. The law took effect in September 2024, yet the NYPD's latest CompStat report still shows rapes up 6.6 percent compared with the same period last year, well after the legal definition had already changed.

Apparently, in progressive governance, reality is just another statistic waiting for the proper explanation.

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