In recent news, President Trump made a laudable announcement. He plans to award Rudy Giuliani with the revered Presidential Medal of Freedom. Giuliani suffered a severe car accident in New Hampshire which put him in hospital. Although he had a broken vertebrae, it didn’t threaten his precious life. Overcoming the accident, Giuliani is now released from the hospital. Giuliani, during his tenure as the Mayor of New York City, showed unique leadership capabilities which Trump plans to honor through this prestigious award.
The incredible feats he achieved during his time as mayor certainly make Giuliani a deserving participant for the honor. Giuliani also worked as President Trump’s attorney, showcasing his staunch determination during the controversial events that followed the 2020 election. But many would argue, it was his exemplary governance throughout his two terms as the mayor of New York City that truly set him apart, warranting the highest civilian honor of America.
Giuliani’s first term set a benchmark for commendable successes in diverse areas that may remain unmatched. These accomplishments were recognized before he was labeled ‘America’s Mayor’ by none other than Oprah Winfrey. This honor came in response to his extraordinary courage following the devastating 9/11. The resilience he exhibited throughout the terror attack was, in essence, made possible due to the immense challenges he had surmounted during his tenure of over seven years.
His leadership shone through his response to the terror attack. He effectively managed city recovery at Ground Zero while the ruins were still smoldering. Found at various venues, from leading a bride down the aisle in a church to delivering eulogies at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Giuliani portrayed exemplary leadership. His presence on the horizon of New York City, especially at a time when it needs sturdy, rational leadership, would be a blessing as the city struggles to tackle a sharp decline amidst a mayoral election.
Giuliani first took the mayoral mantle in 1993. His most significant contribution to the city was proving that New York City could be governed efficiently, which remains one of his cardinal achievements. It may appear elitist, but it was Giuliani who affirmed that fundamental issues in NYC could, in fact, be resolved. Until then, the city’s self-confidence was marred by skepticism about its ability to handle basic city operations, resulting in a depressing slump.
Taking charge in a challenging time, where the city was skeptical about surviving intense crime waves, population and job decline, inferior education, and an increase in welfare cases, Giuliani demonstrated firm management. Many who decided to stay were filled with cynicism, while many resigned to the belief that the best possible effort would only mitigate decline. Giuliani’s victory over Democrat David Dinkins, the city’s first black mayor, opposed this defeatist attitude and sparked a fresh wave of optimism.
As a Republican and ex-federal prosecutor, Giuliani integrated a novel approach to city services and their expenditure. He emphasized the prudent use of available funds for education, contrasting with the conventional method of haggling for more funds. His appointment of Bill Bratton as the police commissioner brought about a shared commitment to the ‘broken windows’ theory in policing.
Giuliani’s visionary step of consolidating the separate Transit and Housing police forces into the larger NYPD, along with the adoption of ‘Compstat’, a real-time management system, held precinct heads accountable while granting them increased autonomy. This initiative was so successful that it has since been incorporated across urban police forces globally.
Extending this approach to the entire government, Giuliani effectively applied the ‘broken windows’ and ‘Compstat’ principles across all public services. Early into his term, he managed to reduce the budget, not just in growth rate but in total spend, and yet the city saw a decrease in crime and improvement in other municipal services. By the end of his first tenure, the annual murder rate had dropped by over 60%, resulting in fewer than 700 murders from almost 2000 yearly. Giuliani implemented a range of reforms that have since been maintained by successive administrations, ensuring New York is no longer the murder capital of America.
Tackling the welfare situation with equivalent vigor, Giuliani was instrumental in reversing the alarming rise in welfare cases inherited from his predecessor, Dinkins. Prioritizing a rigid work requirement policy over economic benefits from federal and Albany subsidies, Giuliani’s administration led the city to a period of reduced dependence on welfare that lasted years, even championing this philosophy with the then-new Clinton administration. This action liberated many families and was welcomed as a positive change even by most liberals.
Following Giuliani’s tenure, his chosen successor, Michael Bloomberg, another Republican, continued his legacy. Together, their stewardship of New York City over two decades marked a rejuvenated era for Gotham. The city had never been better, which has made the recent years of decline more bitter for many residents and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of qualified leadership and the effect of electoral decisions.
Unfortunately, New York City is currently grappling with uncertainty as the new mayoral election offers little hope. The current mayor, Bill de Blasio, took over from Bloomberg and, alarmingly, his leadership has seen an eight-year-long deterioration of the city. Now endorsing socialist Zohran Mamdani, de Blasio’s candidate is a clear shift from the politics that Giuliani and Bloomberg championed. The potential election of antisemitic, anti-cop socialist Mamdani are steps towards a negative scenario – a throwback to the tough days that both Giuliani and Bloomberg worked tirelessly to overcome.
Yet all hope is not lost. Rudy Giuliani’s legacy still reverberates within the city’s governmental systems. Notably, President Trump, who closely observed Giuliani’s tenacious political style, was inspired by his unyielding, up-front approach to politics. This arguably affected Trump’s own aggressive political strategies leading him to win the presidential elections twice, surpassing Giuliani’s aspirations for the Oval Office.
Despite the various parallels one can draw between the two leaders, they’re ultimately individuals in their rightful places. Like Giuliani, Trump has proven to be tireless, always ready for the next challenge with numerous large-scale ideas awaiting their time in the spotlight. Both are New Yorkers at heart, born to lead. The silver lining remains, thankfully they chose to serve the public.
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