As the Democratic Party appears to drift further left, New York City Councilmember Inna Vernikov is raising the alarm over what she sees as a dangerous and growing embrace of socialism, anti-Israel sentiment, and academic corruption in America’s largest city.
In an interview on The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, Vernikov voiced her deep concerns about Zoran Mamdani, the self-described socialist who recently won a key primary race and is being hailed by progressives as the future of the Democratic Party. While figures like Senator John Fetterman have called Mamdani a “gift to the right,” Vernikov isn’t so sure.
“This is exactly what I’ve been warning about since I ran for office in 2020,” said Vernikov, an immigrant from the former Soviet Union. “I saw this city and this country moving towards socialism and communism, and it was terrifying. Now we’re seeing those fears come to life.”
According to Vernikov, Mamdani’s platform — which includes proposals like free college tuition, fare-free transit, and government-run supermarkets — may sound attractive to young voters, but it’s ultimately “a pipe dream” that mirrors the failed promises of Soviet-era regimes.
“These ideas seem appealing to a generation that hasn’t lived through the devastation of socialism,” she said. “But history shows us that only the government benefits — and the people stay poor. The American dream disappears. The free market disappears. Meritocracy disappears.”
Rise of Radicalism and Anti-Semitism
Vernikov also warned of a troubling connection between this political shift and a rise in anti-Semitic attitudes, particularly in New York’s public universities. She pointed to Mamdani’s ideological allies and the systemic failures at the City University of New York (CUNY) as examples of how radical politics are infiltrating education.
“Zoran Mamdani and those like him embody an anti-Israel, anti-Western, and often anti-Semitic philosophy,” she said. “We’ve seen it seeping into our schools, and no place is more indicative of that than CUNY.”
CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez recently testified before Congress in a heated hearing on antisemitism in higher education — a performance Vernikov characterized as “weak” and “disastrous.”
“His testimony was filled with canned answers and gaslighting,” she said. “He’s done nothing to address the pervasive antisemitism on several CUNY campuses, particularly those with active chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine. The only action he’s taken was firing four faculty members — conveniently just days before the hearing.”
According to Vernikov, the lack of accountability at CUNY isn’t just a leadership failure — it’s part of a broader culture of appeasement.
“They’re more afraid of the radical mobs than they are of doing what’s right,” she said. “Jewish students don’t riot or set up encampments. They don’t disrupt classes. They try to follow the rules — and unfortunately, that often makes them easier to ignore.”
A Lonely Battle — But Not Alone
Despite being in the minority on the New York City Council, Vernikov says she is not alone in this fight.
“There are definitely others in government — colleagues in the State Assembly, State Senate, and Congress — who are joining this battle,” she noted. “When I stood with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik at a press conference calling for the Chancellor’s removal, I held a letter signed by a bipartisan group of elected officials demanding Governor Hochul take action.”
Still, Vernikov acknowledges the fight is uphill — and exhausting.
“We’re up against a system that too often protects bad actors and punishes those who speak out,” she said. “But we can’t stay silent. The future of New York — and the country — depends on it.”
As she wrapped up the conversation, Vernikov issued a call to action for Americans who value freedom, merit, and truth.
“This is a fight for the soul of the country. We need to speak out, we need to organize, and we need to reject the seductive lies of socialism before it’s too late.”
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For more interviews and political analysis, tune in to The Ari Hoffman Show, weekdays 3-6 PM Pacific on Talk Radio 570 KVI, KVI.com, the KVI app, and wherever you get your podcasts.
