Rafael A. Mangual

Rafael A. Mangual is the Nick Ohnell fellow and head of research for the Manhattan Institute’s Policing & Public Safety Initiative, and a contributing editor of City Journal. He is also the author of "Criminal (In)Justice: What the Push for Decarceration and Depolicing Gets Wrong and Who It Hurts Most."

Anti-ICE riots reveal the left has learned nothing. It's just handed Trump a gift

Opinion June 11

Anti-ICE riots reveal the left has learned nothing. It's just handed Trump a gift

Immigration enforcement raids in L.A. spark violent protests as Democratic leaders denounce the operations while remaining largely silent on the ensuing riots and property destruction.

Bragg vs. Trump: NYC is drowning in crime. How does convicting the former president make us safe?

Opinion November 21

Bragg vs. Trump: NYC is drowning in crime. How does convicting the former president make us safe?

The most plausible explanation for Bragg’s Trump crusade is a political one: Getting this particular scalp is the kind of win that Democratic partisans could only dream of.

Kamala Harris wants to have it both ways on crime. No wonder Americans don't feel safe

OPINION September 12

Kamala Harris wants to have it both ways on crime. No wonder Americans don't feel safe

Kamala Harris is right to express concerns about school shootings, but her reference to America’s "epidemic of gun violence" rings hollow

Police can’t get tough on crime until we help them fix a crisis of their own

OPINION June 4, 2024

Police can’t get tough on crime until we help them fix a crisis of their own

Policing in the US is bad and isn't getting better. The left demonizes the officers and departments are heavily understaffed. Don't look for a return to Broken Windows policing soon.

This one thing will decide the next mayor of America's third largest city

OPINION April 4, 2023

This one thing will decide the next mayor of America's third largest city

It’s a long-standing rule of politics that being perceived as soft on crime can be a candidate’s undoing. Chicago's mayoral election is putting that rule to the test.

Democrats champion 'equity' but shrug as radical criminal justice reforms hit minorities the hardest

OPINION February 2, 2023

Democrats champion 'equity' but shrug as radical criminal justice reforms hit minorities the hardest

The Republican Party has an advantage over the Democratic Party when it comes to crime. But there still is a critical mass of Democrats who support radical criminal justice reform.

How urban crime could hobble Democrats in the midterms

OPINION October 5, 2022

How urban crime could hobble Democrats in the midterms

The midterm elections are mere weeks away, and the Democrat Party is vulnerable on crime.

American crime problem has an answer, more criminal control

OPINION September 12, 2022

American crime problem has an answer, more criminal control

America's crime problem can be solved by deploying more criminal control. Studies show that the most violent criminals typically have extensive records.

What George Soros doesn't understand about crime and true justice

OPINION August 2, 2022

What George Soros doesn't understand about crime and true justice

Activist and philanthropist George Soros wrote an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal this week defending his progressive approach to crime and justice.

A reflection on NYPD's fallen officers and their sacrifices

OPINION January 28, 2022

A reflection on NYPD's fallen officers and their sacrifices

On Friday, January 21st, two young NYPD officers, Jason Rivera, 22, and Wilbert Mora, 27, were fatally shot in the line of duty.

New York City can expect to see more brazen crime this year

OPINION January 10, 2022

New York City can expect to see more brazen crime this year

On January 3, Manhattan's new District Attorney Alvin Bragg distributed a memo setting out a number of radical changes to the office’s approach to law enforcement.