In this wide-ranging and candid interview on The Moynihan Report, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio joins Michael Moynihan for a deep dive into the personal history that shaped his worldview, the complexities of American foreign policy, and the future of progressive politics in NYC.
The conversation begins with a moving reflection on de Blasio’s father, a World War II veteran who lost his leg at the Battle of Okinawa. De Blasio opens up about how his father’s subsequent struggle with PTSD and alcoholism deeply influenced his own understanding of war, mental health, and the importance of family.
The discussion then pivots to a heated but respectful debate on US imperialism and interventionism. Moynihan and de Blasio spar over historical US involvement in Latin America, specifically the Sandinistas in Nicaragua, whom De Blasio defended as seeking a third way between US capitalism and Soviet communism, and the morality of overthrowing sovereign leaders. They also tackle the episode's "ripped from the headlines" topic: the recent US extraction of Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela. De Blasio argues that even surgical removals of foreign leaders set a dangerous precedent that could embolden rivals like China and Russia.
Finally, de Blasio reflects on his two terms as Mayor, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the emotional toll of the job, which he managed with a philosophy he calls "don't look down." He offers a ringing endorsement of rising progressive star Zohran Mamdani, debating Moynihan on the feasibility of Mamdani's boldest proposals, including free buses, rent freezes, and public grocery stores.
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