NYPD Commissioner Tisch assures Bondi crime is managed without National Guard

New York City’s top cop says the Big Apple doesn’t need the National Guard to keep the streets safe.

In a closed-door meeting at One Police Plaza in Manhattan, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch met with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday for about 30 minutes to discuss public safety, confidently stating that the NYPD has crime under control and no additional forces are required.

Before this meeting, President Trump has been vocal about his focus on urban crime, signaling a willingness to deploy National Guard troops to cities like New York as part of a broader push for law and order. He’s already sent armed troops to Washington, D.C., citing high crime rates there. Now, with New York in his sights, one wonders if federal boots on the ground are inevitable—or just political theater.

Tisch stands firm on NYPD success

During the discussion, Tisch emphasized that shootings and shooting victims in the city have hit record lows this year, a statistic backed by data tracked since the CompStat era began in 1993. She also highlighted the NYPD’s focus on quality-of-life crimes, showing a commitment to the little things that often spiral into bigger issues.

Yet, not all is rosy—Tisch acknowledged persistent hot spots of serious and deadly crime in areas like The Bronx. It’s a reminder that while overall numbers are down, some neighborhoods still bear a heavier burden. One has to ask: Are we celebrating too soon?

Interestingly, Tisch also requested authority for the NYPD to manage potentially dangerous drones, pushing back against reliance on federal oversight. It’s a subtle jab at bureaucratic red tape—why wait for Washington when local cops can handle the job?

Trump’s crime focus and bail reform critique

Meanwhile, President Trump’s broader crusade against urban crime took center stage on Monday with a new executive order targeting cashless bail policies. The order withholds federal funds from jurisdictions that have largely eliminated bail for crimes threatening public safety, and it tasks Bondi with compiling a list of such areas within 30 days.

“It started in New York, and it’s been a horrible thing for crime,” Trump declared from the Oval Office on Monday. Well, he’s not wrong—New York’s bail reform laws, in place since 2020, have scrapped bail for most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies, though violent crimes like murder and rape are exempt. Still, critics argue this progressive experiment lets too many offenders walk free too soon.

Trump also hinted at future plans, saying on Friday, “I think Chicago will be our next [stop].” That’s a clear signal—New York might not be the last city to face federal scrutiny. It’s almost as if he’s building a crime-fighting itinerary, one urban center at a time.

Bondi’s busy day in the city

On the same day as her meeting with Tisch, Bondi was in town to address a plea deal with Mexican drug lord Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, holding a press conference in Brooklyn. She also met briefly with Deputy Commissioner for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry for about 10 minutes, though details of that conversation remain under wraps. A busy day for the Attorney General, juggling cartels and city streets.

Back to the crime stats—major crime in New York City has been on a steady decline over the first seven months of each of the last three years, mirroring a national trend after the post-COVID violence spike. Yet, this year’s numbers still lag behind the pre-2019, pre-pandemic benchmarks. Progress, yes, but let’s not pop the champagne just yet.

President Trump’s interest in deploying the National Guard to the five boroughs looms large, despite Tisch’s assurances. It’s a classic clash—local control versus federal muscle. Who gets the final say when the stats look good but the headlines still scream danger?

Balancing local pride and federal oversight

For now, Tisch and the NYPD stand their ground, proud of their record lows in shootings and overall crime reductions. But with persistent trouble spots and a president determined to crack down on urban issues, the debate over outside intervention isn’t going away. It’s a delicate dance between proving local competence and accepting federal help.

Let’s not forget the broader context—Trump’s executive order on bail reform isn’t just about numbers; it’s a direct challenge to progressive policies that many conservatives see as soft on crime. Turns out, actions do have consequences, and jurisdictions might soon feel the pinch of federal funding cuts if they don’t rethink their approach.

As the dust settles on Monday’s meetings, the question remains whether New York City can maintain its downward crime trend without federal interference. The NYPD’s confidence is admirable, but with Trump’s focus on urban centers, the specter of National Guard deployment still hovers. It’s a wait-and-see game, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for the city’s future.