New York socialist lawmaker takes heat after saying shoplifting results from 'biological need'

A New York state socialist lawmaker's framing of retail theft of items like soap being because of a "biological need" was met with swift blowback.

A socialist lawmaker in New York City has claimed "biological need" gives shoplifters the right to steal from store shelves.

August 16, 2026 11:42 AM ET A New York socialist lawmaker says people who swipe basic goods from stores shouldn’t face charges because they have a “biological need” for what they take.State Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher made the argument Thursday at a news conference outside Manhattan Criminal Court, according to the N

A socialist member of the New York state Assembly said Thursday that people who steal basic necessities such as toothpaste and soap should not be arrested, arguing that prosecuting such theft punishes people for having a “biological need.” Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher, who represents Greenpoint, Williamsburg and neigh

A Brooklyn socialist lawmaker proclaimed this week that shoplifters have a right to steal items like soap and toothpaste from local drugstores without getting arrested because they have a “biological need.”