Bill Maher Critiques Dalializa Avila Chevalier Following Primary Win
On Friday, Bill Maher took aim at Dalializa Avila Chevalier, a candidate who recently secured the Democratic primary in New York’s 13th Congressional District, with support from Mayor Zoran Mamdani. Chevalier has faced backlash for her views on various topics, including her stance on incarceration and past social media remarks that some consider anti-American.
During the opening monologue of “Real Time with Bill Maher,” he highlighted Chevalier’s evasiveness in responding to direct questions from the New York Editorial Board. For instance, when asked about whether a person who commits murder should face imprisonment, Maher pointed out that she dodged giving a straightforward answer. “I couldn’t get her to say yes to that,” he remarked, suggesting that this reflects a broader concerning trend in political discourse.
In the primary election held Tuesday, 32-year-old Chevalier narrowly defeated Congressman Adriano Espaillat, receiving 49.4% of the vote compared to Espaillat’s 45.9%.
Maher also scrutinized Chevalier’s views, saying, “She refers to the U.S., which she is now a part of, as an occupied territory and labels the nation a disgrace.” He expressed skepticism about her intentions, mentioning plans to kneel during her oath of office.
The New York Editorial Board pressed Chevalier on how she would handle cases of murder under her proposed abolitionist policies. While she acknowledged the tragedy of such events, she stopped short of asserting that incarceration is a necessity, commenting instead on the systemic issues that might lead to such violence.
Regarding deportation, Chevalier voiced her strong opposition, describing it as a cruel practice. “I cannot accept any deportation,” she said, emphasizing her belief that it unjustly punishes individuals based solely on their birthplace.
Her campaign platform includes calls to abolish ICE and advocate for Medicare for All, among other progressive causes. The New York Times noted her support for significant reforms, including the abolition of police and prisons.
In light of these developments, it’s evident that her candidacy is not without controversy, and responses from her camp have yet to clarify her positions further.
