NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani picks Ex-Con Rapper Mysonne Linen to Advise on Criminal Justice Reform

New York City — In a move that's ignited a firestorm of criticism across the political spectrum, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has appointed a former armed robber and rapper-turned-activist to his transition team's "Criminal Legal System Committee." Mysonne Linen, who served seven years in state prison for a series of violent taxi driver holdups in the late 1990s, will help shape personnel and policy recommendations for one of the nation's most scrutinized criminal justice systems. Critics are calling it "insane," while supporters hail it as a bold step toward redemption and reform.

The announcement, buried in a broader reveal of Mamdani's 17 transition committees comprising over 400 advisers, surfaced last week amid Mamdani's preparations to take office on January 1. Linen, 47, joins a roster that includes academics like Brooklyn College professor Alex Vitale, author of The End of Policing, and CUNY Graduate Center's Michael Jacobson, executive director of the CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance. But it's Linen's inclusion that's dominating headlines—and X feeds—with detractors decrying the irony of a convicted felon guiding policies on crime and punishment.Linen's criminal history dates back to 1997 and 1998, when, as a young aspiring rapper, he was implicated in multiple armed robberies targeting New York City cab drivers. Prosecutors described one incident in June 1997, where Linen and accomplices robbed driver Joseph Eziri, striking him with a beer bottle during the assault. In another case from March 1998, Linen allegedly held cabbie Francisco Monsanto at gunpoint, making off with cash and jewelry. Offered a one-year plea deal, Linen rejected it, leading to a jury trial where victims identified him in court. He was convicted on felony robbery and weapons possession charges, drawing a seven-year sentence—far stiffer than the plea he declined.Released after serving his time, Linen reinvented himself as "The General," a hip-hop artist and prominent voice in social justice circles. His music, including collaborations with heavyweights like Busta Rhymes and LL Cool J, often grapples with themes of incarceration and inequality. He co-founded the activist group Until Freedom alongside figures like Tamika Mallory and Linda Sarsour, focusing on issues like police accountability and prisoner rights. Linen has also been vocal in his admiration for Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, once posting on Instagram that the controversial figure "has inspired and motivated me!! His unapologetic Leadership is what is needed in this Time."Mamdani's team has remained tight-lipped on the selection process. The mayor-elect, a 34-year-old democratic socialist who stunned the political world by defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in November's election, has described his transition advisers as a mix of "capable and compassionate" experts tasked with delivering on his affordability agenda. "These leaders will help prepare my administration to take on the city's toughest challenges—from housing access to... the day-to-day operations of city government," transition executive director Elana Leopold said in a statement. Mamdani himself has praised taxi drivers as "unsung heroes" of the city, a nod that only amplifies the perceived disconnect.The backlash has been swift and bipartisan. On X, conservative voices like @JewsFightBack labeled the appointment a handover to "radicals, extremists, and outright terrorists," highlighting Linen's past slurs and Farrakhan ties. "Zero remorse. Zero accountability," one viral post read, amassing nearly 5,000 likes. Even some progressives expressed unease, with users questioning whether Linen's history undermines Mamdani's pledges for equitable justice reform. A Washington Free Beacon investigation first broke the story, framing it as emblematic of Mamdani's "controversial additions" to his team, including organizers linked to campaigns freeing Black nationalists convicted of murdering police officers.Defenders, however, see Linen's story as a testament to the very system Mamdani aims to overhaul. "Mysonne has done the work," tweeted @TheFilesWithDUB, calling opposition "ANTI-Black." Linen's activism has earned him allies in hip-hop and beyond; he was once slated for a high-profile album feature just weeks before his conviction derailed his rising career. Supporters argue his lived experience—decades of advocacy post-incarceration—offers invaluable insight into recidivism, reentry, and racial disparities in sentencing, core pillars of Mamdani's platform to "reduce the jail population" and expedite court releases.

This isn't Mamdani's first brush with controversy during the transition. His all-female leadership team, unveiled hours after his victory and featuring FTC alum Lina Khan and ex-de Blasio deputies, drew praise for its historic makeup but scrutiny for lacking early focus on education and public safety. Other committees boast CUNY heavyweights and policy wonks, but the criminal justice panel's composition has fueled fears that Mamdani's progressive zeal could tip toward leniency at the expense of public safety. With 70,000 resumes flooding in and over $1 million raised for the transition, the stakes couldn't be higher for a city still reeling from post-pandemic crime spikes.

As New Yorkers brace for Mamdani's "political earthquake"—his words—Mamdani's office did not respond to requests for comment on Linen's role. For now, the appointment stands as a flashpoint: a symbol of radical empathy to some, a reckless gamble to others. In a metropolis where cab rides can turn perilous, one thing's clear: the road to reform just got a lot bumpier.

17GEN4.com