Topic: Nypd

The 2017 death of Sheila Abdus-Salam, the first female Muslim U.S. judge, is examined. Her body was found in the Hudson River, and while initially labeled a suicide by Mayor Bill de Blasio, her husband and colleagues contested the finding. The hosts highlight the lack of media "say her name" activism for Abdus-Salam and question why her death remains an unsolved mystery despite her high-profile status.

Joy Reid describes President Biden's recent actions, including a military raid in Syria against ISIS and a meeting with New York City Mayor Eric Adams, as "Biden Bidening." The meeting at NYPD headquarters signaled a rejection of the "defund the police" movement. Critics argue Biden is returning to the centrist, law-and-order policies he championed during the creation of the 1994 Crime Bill.

Adama Ba shares her experience of being 16 years old when the NYPD Terrorism Task Force and FBI raided her Harlem apartment in 2005. She argues against the creation of new domestic terrorism laws, noting that such statutes historically target minority communities rather than the groups they are ostensibly designed to stop. The narrative highlights the long-term psychological and legal consequences of being labeled a potential suicide bomber by the state without evidence.

Leaked audio from a 2015 Aspen Institute appearance captures Michael Bloomberg defending "stop and frisk" by claiming 95% of murderers and victims fit a specific minority profile. Bloomberg argued that the most effective way to remove guns from the streets was to "throw them up against the walls and frisk them." While Bloomberg later apologized as he entered the 2020 race, the audio confirms his long-standing commitment to the controversial policing tactic.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams accepted Michael Bloomberg's apology, a move the hosts characterize as receiving "butter biscuits." The term is defined as a metaphor for being bought off with financial gain or political clout in exchange for defending someone's controversial actions. Donald Trump criticized the apology as "disgraceful" and "pathetic," noting that Bloomberg only changed his stance after joining the Democratic Party.

Mo provides a historical overview of policing in America, starting from loosely organized volunteer groups to the establishment of formal departments like the NYPD in 1845. The segment highlights early corruption where politicians controlled hiring, followed by progressive reforms in the early 20th century that moved toward merit-based recruitment. They note the massive growth of police forces over the last century.

Adam Curry shares his personal bias, recounting his time visiting NYPD widows and orphans with Joan Jett, which gave him a sympathetic view of the challenges officers face. Mo counters with the perspective of Black Americans, who may see the police department as a place where "bad actors" can legally harass minorities. They discuss the mental toll of the job and how it can lead to jaded attitudes similar to soldiers in a war zone.