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Episode 2: Turkey, Transitions & The Cold Shoulder

Saturday, December 13, 2025

Zohran Mamdani picks a fight with the NYPD, Eric Adams is apparently "ghosting" the transition team, and President Trump sends NYC a very petty holiday gift.

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Transcript

Happy Thanksgiving, New York! Put down that carving knife and step out onto the stoop.It may be freezing out here, but the tea is piping hot. I'm Jessi Mercury, and welcomeback to Stoop Politics. While you were arguing with your uncle about the election, City Hallwas busy falling apart. This week, Zohreh Mamdani picks a fight with the NYPD, EricAdams is apparently ghosting the transition team, and President Trump sends New York avery petty holiday gift. If it's happening in the five boroughs, we're spilling it righthere. So take a seat, let's dig into the main course.Last week, I told you to watch out for Mamdani's pick for police commissioner. Well, on Tuesday,he dropped the bomb. Mayor-elect Mamdani has nominated Elena Cohen, a former civil rightsattorney with zero uniformed experience, to lead the NYPD. Of course, the city exploded.The Police Benevolent Association, the PBA, immediately put out a statement calling thenomination a declaration of war on law enforcement. They're threatening a blue flu, a sick out,on Mamdani's inauguration day. But here's the inside scoop. Mamdani wanted this fight.By picking an outsider who specializes in police misconduct lawsuits, he's signalingthat the Department of Community Safety isn't just a slogan. He's actually trying to dismantlethe NYPD as we know it. The question is, can she actually get confirmed? The city councilis progressive, but even they're nervous about a commissioner who has never walked a beat.Now let's check in on current mayor Eric Adams. You'd think that with 34 days left in office,he'd be handing over the keys. Nope. We're hearing reports from the Mamdani transitionteam that they're being completely stonewalled. We're talking forgotten passwords, canceledmeetings, and missing data files on the city's shelter capacity. So where is Adams? Whilethe transition team was panic dialing city hall on Tuesday night, Adams was spotted at,yeah, you guessed it, zero bond. Sources say that he was holding a mission accomplishedstyle party with his inner circle. The rumor on the stoop is that Adams is running downthe clock to hide the true scale of the fiscal cliff he's leaving behind. He doesn't wantthe bad news, the budget cuts to hit the papers until after he's sipping that margaritadown in Miami on January 2nd. He's ghosting the city folks. Finally, a little holidaycheer from Washington. This morning, President Trump posted on True Social, amidst the happyThanksgiving wishes, he specifically called out New York City, threatening to block federalblock grants for HEAP. That's the Home Energy Assistance Program, unless the city ends itssanctuary status immediately. This is dangerous. HEAP is what keeps thousands of low-incomeseniors warm in the winter. Trump is essentially threatening to freeze grandma to get backat mom Donnie. Mom Donnie clapped back at about an hour ago, tweeting that New Yorkersdon't negotiate with bullies, but the reality is grim. If that money doesn't come throughby December 15th, the new mayor is going to face a humanitarian crisis in his first week.So that's your Thanksgiving Digest. A police force in revolt, a mayor who's MIA, and apresident threatening to turn off the heat. Pass the cranberry sauce. Join me next weekon Stoop Politics. We'll be watching the city council hearings to see if that police commissionernominee survives the grilling. I'm Jessie Mercury. Stay warm, New York.

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Previous Episodes (8)

Episode 8: The Turnstile War & The Billion Dollar Freeze

Jan 23, 20264:11

A "super sizzler" of the last three weeks of hot gossip from the stoop! We're back from hiatus and have all the tea on the "Era of Audacity", mass arrests in the subway, the dumping of Eric Adams, and a terrifying new budget report.

The Subway Swear-In & The Midnight Vetoes

Jan 3, 20265:52

This week: Listen to me stumble over my words as I recover alongside Andy Cohen from a boozy New Year's. Plus, Zohran Mamdani takes the oath of office in a subway station, Eric Adams spends his final hours vetoing everything in sight, and your commute is about to get more expensive this Sunday.

Episode 6: The Christmas Eve Massacre & The Midnight Contract

Dec 27, 20254:13

While you were opening Christmas presents, City Hall was opening a can of worms. We had a historic "Christmas Eve Massacre" at the City Council, a suspicious contract signed while Santa was in the chimney, and a New Year's surprise from the MTA that is going to hurt your wallet.

Episode 5: The Life & Death Deal (And The Library Coup)

Dec 18, 20253:48

This week: Governor Hochul makes history (and enemies) with a controversial new deal on "Medical Aid in Dying." Plus, Eric Adams tries to appoint his gym buddy to the Library Board, and the City Council creates a "Doomsday Fund" for the Trump inauguration.

Episode 4: The Shredding Trucks & The Schoolyard Brawl

Dec 13, 20254:24

We’ve got reports of shredding trucks idling outside City Hall, Mamdani picks a fight with the charter schools, and the MTA just got a ransom note from the White House. The transition isn't just rocky anymore; it’s turning into a crime scene.

Episode 3: The Booby Trap & The Veto Rebellion

Dec 13, 20253:37

We’re done talking about that confusing Trump meeting from two weeks ago. Why? Because Eric Adams just left a geopolitical landmine on the Mayor-Elect’s desk. Plus, the City Council goes to war to save your rent vouchers, and we find out the NYPD might be leaking secrets to ICE.

Episode 1: The Socialist, The Survivor & The Don

Dec 13, 20254:21

We’re talking about Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani making history, why Eric Adams is grinning like he got away with murder—or at least bribery—and the "Civil War" brewing between New York City and the White House.

Official Trailer

Dec 13, 20250:57

New York City runs on two things: strong coffee and absolutely unhinged political drama.

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