August 20, 2025 MANHATTAN, NY — In a fiery rebuke, Mayor Eric Adams has launched a scathing attack on his mayoral opponent, Zohran Mamdani, over the candidate's history of advocating for the decriminalization of prostitution. The clash, which has injected a new level of vitriol into the campaign, saw Adams question how a man who identifies as religiously guided could support sex work, a practice he says runs counter to his own faith.

"I can't be more clear. I'm a man of God, just as Mamdani says he's a Muslim," Adams told reporters on Sunday. "I don’t know where in his Quran it states that it’s okay for a woman to be on the streets selling their body. I don't know what Quran he is reading. It's not in my Bible." The mayor added, "As a man who said he is of faith, I don’t quite understand what religion supports prostitution."

The comments come after Adams, an independent candidate, slammed the Democratic mayoral nominee following renewed public attention on Mamdani's longstanding push to decriminalize sex work. Mamdani, a 33-year-old Socialist who has co-sponsored several bills on the matter as a Queens assemblyman, has been notably quiet on the issue since launching his mayoral bid.

A 'Danger for Our City'

Adams didn't mince words, arguing that Mamdani is "lost" on the harsh realities of sex work and the crime it attracts. "I think he’s lost on the fact that sex trafficking is very much part of prostitution," Adams said. "We are trying to bring down crime and he is talking about legalizing sex work." The mayor warned that if Mamdani were elected and acted on his past advocacy, it could be a "danger for our city," potentially turning New York into a hub for sex tourism.

While supporters of legalizing sex work often argue it would make sex workers less vulnerable to violence, Adams pointed to studies showing that in places where it has been legalized, human trafficking and organized crime tend to spike. "No one should be on our streets selling their bodies," the mayor insisted.

Despite his silence on the issue during the campaign, Mamdani's track record as a state assemblyman and his potential to influence city policy as mayor have critics concerned. As mayor, he could use his platform to push for a change in state law and, critically, de-prioritize the enforcement of prostitution by the NYPD.

In a statement, a Mamdani campaign representative fired back at Adams, sidestepping the question of the candidate's current stance on decriminalization. The spokesperson instead accused the mayor of "reckless budget cuts" that put crime victims at risk. "As Mayor, Zohran will prioritize genuine public safety for all, including investing $40M through his Department of Community Safety towards victims services," the statement read.