By President Donald Trump
Getty ImagesZohran Mamdani speaks at a campaign event in Queens following his primary win in the 2025 New York mayoral race, where immigration and ICE policy have become flashpoints in the contest
Zohran Mamdani rejects Trump鈥檚 deportation warningZohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, addressed threats made by President Donald Trump, who suggested Mamdani could be deported for refusing to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Speaking on Tuesday, Mamdani said Trump鈥檚 remarks constituted an attack on democratic norms and an effort to silence dissent.鈥淭he President of the United States just threatened to have me arrested, stripped of my citizenship, put in a detention camp and deported. Not because I have broken any law but because I will refuse to let ICE terrorize our city,鈥 Mamdani stated.Also read: ‘Total nut job’: Trump ridicules Zohran Mamdani in explosive attack, says ‘going to have a lot of fun with鈥淗is statements don鈥檛 just represent an attack on our democracy but an attempt to send a message to every New Yorker who refuses to hide in the shadows: if you speak up, they will come for you. We will not accept this intimidation,鈥 he continued.Live EventsMamdani, 33, was born in Uganda to Indian parents and became a naturalized US citizen in 2018. He currently serves as a New York State Assembly member representing parts of Queens.ICE noncooperation and political falloutTrump鈥檚 remarks came during a visit to a migrant detention facility in Florida, where he criticized Mamdani鈥檚 stance on noncooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Trump labeled Mamdani a communist and stated, 鈥淲ell, then we鈥檒l have to arrest him. Look, we don鈥檛 need a communist in this country, but if we have one, I鈥檓 going to be watching over them very carefully on behalf of the nation.鈥滿amdani identifies as a democratic socialist and has called for policies including universal child care, free city bus service, rent stabilization, and public grocery stores. His victory in the Democratic primary marked a significant upset, defeating former Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. Mamdani officially clinched the nomination on Tuesday, July 1, following the finalization of ranked-choice voting results.Also read: Trump says ‘New Yorkers would be crazy’ to elect Zohran Mamdani as mayorHe has received endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York), positioning himself as a progressive alternative to the city鈥檚 political establishment.Backlash, endorsements, and IslamophobiaSince his primary win, Mamdani has been the target of attacks from across the political spectrum, including Islamophobic rhetoric and unfounded doubts about his citizenship status. Rep. Andrew Ogles (R-Tennessee) called Mamdani 鈥渓ittle Muhammad,鈥 urged his deportation, and requested a Justice Department investigation into his background.New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) publicly condemned Trump鈥檚 threat in a post on X: 鈥淚 don鈥檛 care if you鈥檙e the President of the United States, if you threaten to unlawfully go after one of our neighbors, you鈥檙e picking a fight with 20 million New Yorkers 鈥 starting with me.鈥漇en. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) also apologized to Mamdani in a phone call for her recent public remarks. On a radio program, Gillibrand had said Mamdani should renounce the phrase 鈥済lobalize the intifada,鈥 which she said concerned Jewish constituents.Also read: Zohran Mamdani wins New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, defeating ex-Gov Andrew CuomoMamdani criticized Mayor Eric Adams, who opted to run as an independent, for aligning politically with Trump. 鈥淎t the very moment when MAGA Republicans are attempting to destroy the social safety net, kick millions of New Yorkers off of health care and enrich their billionaire donors at the expense of working families, it is a scandal that Eric Adams echoes this President鈥檚 division, distraction and hate. Voters will resoundingly reject it in November,鈥 Mamdani said.(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onZohran MamdaniTrump deportation threatICE policy disputeNew York City mayordemocratic socialistKathy Hochul(Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates….moreless
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