New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reversed his campaign promise to end homeless encampment sweeps after twenty homeless individuals died during recent winter weather conditions.
Policy Reversal Following Deaths
Mamdani suspended homeless encampment sweeps on January 5, just days after taking office, fulfilling a key campaign pledge. However, the mayor announced he would reinstate the controversial policy following the deaths of at least twenty homeless people during frigid temperatures. The decision marks a significant departure from his previous stance as a democratic socialist candidate who criticized such enforcement actions.
🚨 BREAKING: Ugandan Mayor Zohran Mamdani BREAKS MAJOR campaign promise of ending homeless encampment sweeps
He's now REINSTATING homeless camp sweeps, infuriating leftist voters
How many campaign promises is this guy going to break?! You got duped by a COMMUNIST, NYC! pic.twitter.com/LbRoyUyRfu
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 18, 2026
The mayor declared a Code Blue emergency during the cold snap, requiring city shelters to accept anyone seeking refuge from harsh weather. Despite these measures, the death toll among homeless individuals prompted the administration to reconsider its approach to encampment management and street-level enforcement policies.
Administrative Changes and New Approach
Under the revised policy, the Department of Homeless Services will lead encampment operations instead of the New York Police Department. This represents part of Mamdani’s broader effort to shift various municipal functions away from police oversight, including mental health outreach and homeless services coordination.
Mamdani told reporters his team paused the previous administration’s approach while developing new policies that would deliver better outcomes for the city. The mayor emphasized that encampment actions would resume only after the prolonged Code Blue emergency period ended, prioritizing immediate shelter placement over structural responses.
Political Implications and Public Response
The policy reversal has drawn criticism from supporters who viewed the encampment sweep suspension as a progressive reform. Critics argue the change represents a broken campaign promise that undermines the mayor’s commitment to alternative approaches to homelessness. The deaths during the winter weather have intensified debate over effective strategies for protecting vulnerable populations while addressing public safety concerns in urban areas.