New York City’s next mayor is wasting no time signaling the direction of his incoming administration — and his latest move is already igniting fierce debate.
According to Fox News, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who rode a progressive wave into office this November, has added community activist and formerly incarcerated rapper Mysonne Linen to his City Hall transition team.
The announcement surfaced not through City Hall, but in a Nov. 26 Instagram post from Until Freedom, the social-justice organization where Linen serves as a leader.
The post featured Linen alongside fellow activists Tamika Mallory and Angelo Pinto, celebrating their selection to Mamdani’s committees on public safety and criminal justice.
“We are proud that Until Freedom leaders have been chosen to serve on Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition team,” the organization wrote. “We are building something different.”
Linen’s inclusion quickly drew attention because of his criminal history.
Now 49, the Bronx native once signed to Def Jam was convicted in 1999 of two felony robberies of taxi drivers — one involving a beer bottle, another involving a gun. Prosecutors alleged he participated in the 1997 robbery of cab driver Joseph Exiri and the 1998 holdup of driver Francisco Monsanto. Both testified against him in court.
At the time, his defense argued he had no motive, pointing to a budding music career that included writing for Lil’ Kim and Mase and contributing to an album featuring LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, and Q-Tip.
Linen maintained he was falsely accused. He served seven years before transitioning into social-justice work and anti-violence advocacy.
Until Freedom describes itself as “the definitive non-profit organization for community activism, education, and rapid response to tragedies resulting from injustice,” asking supporters to “invest” in its mission rather than donate.
Linen has become one of its most public faces, frequently promoting anti-violence campaigns and civic engagement.
Still, Mamdani’s decision set off immediate criticism — particularly from groups skeptical of placing someone with a violent felony record in a role shaping the city’s public safety priorities.
“Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani just appointed a convicted armed robber to help shape NYC’s crime and policing policy,” the group Jews Fight Back wrote on X, calling the move “insane.”
Linen appeared unfazed by the pushback. Echoing a phrase he has used in recent speeches, he posted again on Instagram: “We are building something different.”
With Mamdani set to take office Jan. 1, the appointment will test just how far New Yorkers are willing to go in reimagining public safety.
