President Donald Trump has ignited a political firestorm by threatening to arrest Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, over his pledge not to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement if elected. The statement has drawn swift condemnation from Mamdani, New York Democrats, and civil rights advocates who view the remarks as an attack on democratic norms and immigrant communities.
Trump Issues Arrest Threat Over Sanctuary City Policies
Speaking to reporters on July 1 during a visit to a Florida detention center, Trump said of Mamdani:
“Well then, we’ll have to arrest him.”
He added that he would be “watching over him very carefully on behalf of the nation,” and falsely claimed that “a lot of people are saying he’s here illegally.”
Mamdani, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Uganda, immigrated to the United States at age seven with his parents—filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani. He currently serves as a state Assembly member and secured the Democratic nomination after defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a major political upset.
Legal experts quickly pushed back on Trump’s claim, noting that there is no legal requirement for local governments to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Immigrant Legal Resource Center confirms that federal law does not obligate cities or states to support immigration enforcement actions.
Mamdani: “We Will Not Accept This Intimidation”
In response, Mamdani took to social media, calling Trump’s threats undemocratic and a clear message of intimidation aimed at immigrants and their allies.
“His statements don’t 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,” Mamdani wrote.
The situation has stirred broader outrage over what many see as xenophobic and Islamophobic rhetoric. Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN) escalated tensions further by calling for Mamdani to be stripped of his citizenship and deported, even referring to him derogatorily based on his Muslim faith.
Background: Tensions Over Immigration and Political Labels
Trump has repeatedly mischaracterized Mamdani, calling him a “radical left lunatic” and a “communist” on Fox News. In reality, Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist—a political ideology rooted in reforming capitalism through democratic means, not abolishing it altogether.
This clash is just the latest in an ongoing national debate over immigration and sanctuary city policies. During his presidency, Trump deployed National Guard troops to support ICE raids in Los Angeles, a move that triggered widespread protests and legal battles. Federal efforts to crack down on non-cooperation policies—such as those in New York and California—have drawn criticism from state leaders and civil liberties groups.
Trump Throws Support Behind Independent Candidate Eric Adams
Trump also voiced support for current New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking re-election as an independent after declining to run in the Democratic primary due to a corruption scandal. Adams had previously been indicted by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, but the charges were later dropped by the Trump-led Justice Department.
“I helped him out a little bit,” Trump said of Adams, implying that the dismissal of charges was politically motivated to allow Adams to continue his work on immigration enforcement. Several Justice Department officials reportedly resigned in protest over the decision to drop the case.
Trump inaccurately claimed that Adams was indicted immediately after criticizing the federal response to the migrant crisis in New York, adding, “That was a Biden indictment. I said, ‘Don’t feel bad, I got indicted five times.’”
Adams’ office did not immediately comment on the president’s remarks.
Strong Pushback from New York Leaders
The president’s threats triggered immediate backlash from top New York officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, who tweeted:
“I don’t care if you’re the President of the United States—if you threaten to unlawfully go after one of our neighbors, you’re picking a fight with 20 million New Yorkers — starting with me.”
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine called the rhetoric “not normal” and “the words of an unhinged would-be dictator.”
November Election Outlook
Mamdani, running on a progressive platform, now faces Adams, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, and potentially Andrew Cuomo, who is rumored to be considering an independent campaign. The mayoral race is expected to be one of the most closely watched in the country, with national implications for immigration, civil rights, and the future of urban governance.
