Bail Reform Is an Orphan

Wednesday night’s Democratic primary debate for New York City mayor was, in many ways, a deflating affair. But not in all ways.

The decisive cultural and political repudiation dealt out to the “defund the police” movement was tacitly acknowledged by each of the Democratic aspirants, with varying degrees of enthusiasm. That’s even more important coming from representatives of the left in a city where the movement’s prescriptions were adopted early and eagerly. Indeed, these very candidates have their fingerprints on some of those misbegotten policies. Take, for example, bail reform.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.

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Wednesday night’s Democratic primary debate for New York City mayor was, in many ways, a deflating affair. But not in all ways.

The decisive cultural and political repudiation dealt out to the “defund the police” movement was tacitly acknowledged by each of the Democratic aspirants, with varying degrees of enthusiasm. That’s even more important coming from representatives of the left in a city where the movement’s prescriptions were adopted early and eagerly. Indeed, these very candidates have their fingerprints on some of those misbegotten policies. Take, for example, bail reform.

About the Author

Noah Rothman

Noah Rothman is a senior writer at National Review. His third book, Blood and Progress: A Century of Left-Wing Violence, was published by Hachette in May 2026.