Zohran Mamdani’s Anti-ICE Rhetoric Earns the Ire of President Trump and the Attention of Homeland Security

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New York’s mayoral race took a sharp turn Tuesday as President Donald Trump escalated his attacks on Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, threatening arrest if the mayoral candidate blocks Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. Speaking at a Florida migrant detention site, Trump warned, “We don’t need a communist in this country, but if we have one, I’ll be watching them very carefully.” His remarks came hours after Mamdani officially clinched the Democratic nomination, becoming the first Muslim American to win a major party nomination for New York City mayor. The victory stunned party insiders and drew immediate pushback from Republicans and some centrist Democrats.

Shortly thereafter, the Department of Homeland Security followed suit: Secretary Kristi Noem hinted at unprecedented legal measures against Mamdani. “The Department of Homeland Security has authorities that have never been utilized before,” Noem said at a Homeland Security Advisory Council meeting, where Mamdani was labeled a top threat.

Why Trump Is Targeting Zohran Mamdani

Trump’s threats stem from Mamdani’s pledge to limit ICE raids and implement what he calls “Trump-proofing” policies for New York. Despite official records confirming his naturalization in 2018, Trump has questioned Mamdani’s citizenship. Born in Uganda to Indian parents, Mamdani moved to the U.S. at age seven.

Critics in Trump’s circle—including Rudy Giuliani—have branded Mamdani a “dangerous figure,” citing his support for rent controls, public transit reforms, and criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Giuliani labeled him “an Islamic extremist and a communist,” even though Mamdani has affirmed Israel’s right to exist. Mamdani’s platform includes rent freezes, city‑owned grocery stores, and calls to arrest foreign leaders accused of war crimes, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—moves that have alarmed pro‑Israel groups.

Zohran Mamdani’s Response to Deportation Threats

Mamdani fired back at Trump’s comments, calling them an attack on immigrant communities and political dissent. “The president just threatened to arrest me, strip my citizenship, and deport me,” he said at a union rally. “His statements don’t only target me. They are meant to intimidate every New Yorker who refuses to hide in the shadows.”

He warned that the rhetoric signals a dangerous willingness to target political opponents: “If this is what they’ll say about a Democratic nominee for mayor, imagine how they treat immigrants whose names they don’t know.”

New York officials swiftly condemned the threats. Governor Kathy Hochul declared, “If you unlawfully go after one of our neighbors, you’re picking a fight with 20 million New Yorkers, starting with me.”

A High‑Stakes Mayoral Contest

With national elections ahead, Mamdani will face Republican Curtis Sliwa, independent incumbent Eric Adams, and potentially Andrew Cuomo as an independent. The race has become a referendum on federal immigration enforcement, political intimidation, and civil liberties.

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