The Brian Lehrer Show Brian Lehrer Weekend: What La Guardia Taught Mamdani; The Defeat of Desegregation in Detroit; 'How to Start'
Apr 25, 2026
Michelle Adams, University of Michigan law professor who wrote about Detroit school desegregation. Jamel Bowie, New York Times columnist and Hillman Prize judge. Jodi Cantor, New York Times investigative reporter and author on starting careers. Bridget Bergen, WNYC political reporter who moderated a LaGuardia-themed event. They discuss La Guardia as a model for Mamdani, the defeat of desegregation in Detroit, and practical advice for beginning careers.
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LaGuardia As A Model For Mamdani
- Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia's optimism and coalition-building are a model Mayor Zohran Mamdani invokes to tackle modern crises like affordability and immigrant inclusion.
- Bridget Bergen notes parallels: both mobilized new voter coalitions, expanded public services, and used bold federal partnerships to reshape the city.
Mamdani Frames Police Reform As Structural
- Mayor Mamdani framed police issues as needing both safety and justice, promising structural review beyond punishing officers in one videoed arrest.
- Bridget Bergen highlighted his hiring of a deputy mayor for community safety as part of a larger criminal justice agenda to watch.
Mamdani Seeks Federal Partnership For Housing
- Mamdani compared his White House meetings with President Trump to LaGuardia's partnership with FDR, seeking federal help for large housing projects like Sunnyside Yards.
- Bridget Bergen noted the photo-op with mocked-up front pages signaled ambition, but progress depends on federal cooperation and ULURP and remains uncertain.
