Former prosecutor challenges Alvin Bragg in Manhattan district attorney's race
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg became a hero to many on the left after he secured thirty-four felony convictions against President Donald Trump.
However, Bragg is facing the prospect of being forced out of power by a woman who says he has let criminals run wild.
Diana Florence highlights controversial "Day One memo"
According to the New York Post, veteran prosecutor Diana Florence announced late last week that she will challenge the Democratic incumbent on an independent "Safer Manhattan."
Florence, who previously served under former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, kicked off her campaign by drawing attention to Bragg's controversial "Day One memo."
Released shortly after Bragg took office in January of 2022, the document instructed prosecutors to seek fewer prison sentences.
It also advised that felony charges be downgraded to misdemeanor offenses, including for serious crimes such as drug dealing and armed robbery.
"It's time to bring common sense back"
"DA Bragg’s failure started from the very beginning, with his 'Day One Memo,'" the Post quoted Florence as saying in a statement released this past Thursday.
"Instead of considering each case individually, he directed prosecutors to automatically downgrade how crimes were charged, turning felonies into misdemeanors, and misdemeanors into no crimes at all," she recalled.
I’m running for Manhattan DA because every New Yorker deserves to feel safe at home, safe at work, and safe on the street.
Join our movement for a safer, brighter New York: https://t.co/0AhWOZfAMl pic.twitter.com/ACpvAU2r5j
— Diana Florence (@DianaJFlorence) May 9, 2025
"The DA’s office pursued a social experiment that made our city more hospitable for criminals, and less safe for everyone else," the candidate insisted.
"The law is a command, not a suggestion," Florence continued before adding, "It's time to bring common sense back to the District Attorney's office and leave the politics behind."
Bragg campaign points to allegations regarding audio recordings
"Diana Florence resigned in disgrace from the Manhattan DA’s office for failing to turn over evidence in a major corruption case, and for creating a toxic work environment internally," Bragg campaign spokesman Richard Fife stated.
"No amount of special interest money from Florence’s rich, powerful patrons or campaign rhetoric will be able to hide her scandal-scarred history, or distort Alvin Bragg’s successful record of delivering the safety we need, the fairness we deserve, and one standard of justice for all," Fife declared.
