New York City’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, has appointed former rapper and community activist Mysonne Linen to his transition team, specifically focusing on public safety and criminal justice. This decision has sparked significant controversy, as Linen has a criminal history that includes felony robbery convictions.
The announcement emerged on November 26, 2025, through an Instagram post from Until Freedom, the social justice organization where Linen is a prominent figure. The post featured Linen alongside fellow activists Tamika Mallory and Angelo Pinto, celebrating their roles in shaping Mamdani’s policies. “We are proud that Until Freedom leaders have been chosen to serve on Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team,” the organization stated, emphasizing their commitment to building something different.
Linen, now 49 years old, has a past marked by legal troubles. In 1999, he was convicted for two armed robberies of taxi drivers in New York City, one involving a beer bottle and another involving a firearm. According to court records, he participated in the robbery of cab driver Joseph Exiri in 1997 and another incident involving driver Francisco Monsanto in 1998, both of whom testified against him. Linen’s defense claimed he had no motive to commit these crimes, pointing to his emerging music career at the time. He maintained his innocence, alleging he was falsely accused. After serving seven years in prison, Linen transitioned to a career in social justice, focusing on anti-violence advocacy.
Until Freedom describes its mission as facilitating community activism, education, and rapid responses to injustice. Linen has become a leading voice within the organization, actively promoting campaigns aimed at violence prevention and civic engagement.
Despite this advocacy work, Mamdani’s choice has faced immediate backlash. Critics, particularly from organizations like Jews Fight Back, expressed concern over appointing someone with a history of violent crime to a role that influences public safety policies. They described the appointment as “insane,” highlighting Linen’s past and questioning his suitability for shaping NYC’s crime and policing strategies.
On December 8, 2025, the group tweeted, “Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani just appointed a convicted armed robber to help shape NYC’s crime and policing policy. Meet Mysonne Linen. Served 7 years for armed robberies of NYC taxi drivers.” The tweet included a graphic that drew further attention to Linen’s record.
In response to the criticism, Linen remained resolute. He reiterated his commitment to positive change, posting on Instagram, “We are building something different.”
As Mamdani prepares to take office on January 1, 2026, the appointment of Mysonne Linen will serve as a litmus test for public sentiment regarding new approaches to public safety in New York City. The administration’s willingness to embrace unconventional figures raises questions about the future direction of crime policy in one of the largest cities in the world.
