New york: The new Democratic nominee for mayor of New York on Tuesday denounced US President Donald Trump's threat to arrest and deport him, calling the statement 'an attack on our democracy' and vowing to 'not accept this intimidation.'
According to Anadolu Agency, Zohran Mamdani, the nominee, expressed his outrage on X, formerly known as Twitter, highlighting the potential consequences of Trump's threat. He asserted that the president's statement was not only an attack on democracy but also a warning to all New Yorkers who choose to voice their dissent. Mamdani emphasized that he has not violated any laws but stands in opposition to the intimidation tactics of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
Mamdani, who moved to the US at the age of seven and gained US citizenship in 2018, faced derogatory remarks from Trump, who dismissed him as a 'total nut job.' This exchange occurred during a roundtable discussion on immigration policy in Florida. When questioned about Mamdani's opposition to ICE, Trump remarked, 'Well, then we'll have to arrest him.'
Throughout his administration, Trump has frequently called for the arrest of political adversaries, including figures like Hillary Clinton and Gavin Newsom, often without specifying the charges. The Trump administration's crackdown on immigration has predominantly focused on irregular migrants, with recent efforts to strip naturalized citizens of their status for alleged criminal activities.
Mamdani's recent victory over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, confirmed after rank-choice votes were tallied, positions him to potentially become New York City's first Muslim mayor. Despite New York's strong Democratic leanings, Mamdani may still face challenges from independent candidates like Cuomo or current Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking reelection.
The upcoming mayoral election is scheduled for November 4. Mamdani, known for his vocal support of Palestine and criticism of Israel, has been active in advocacy, including co-founding a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine during college and participating in a hunger strike outside the White House in 2023, demanding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.