New york city: Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Friday pushed back against President Donald Trump's vision of the country in remarks marking America's 250th anniversary, focusing on immigrants without mentioning Trump by name. Speaking at City Hall while seated behind a desk once used by George Washington, Mamdani criticized Trump's immigration policies.

According to Anadolu Agency, Mamdani addressed the nation by challenging the belief among 'the powerful' that America is diminished when it welcomes more people. He was joined by newly naturalized US citizens, using the setting to highlight the irony of American exceptionalism. Mamdani noted that much of the country's story has been shaped by individuals who were historically marginalized.

"The work of fulfilling the values first enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, that work endures, and it belongs to us all. It belongs, too, to our newest Americans, those standing here with me today, all of whom were recently naturalized," Mamdani stated. He further shared his personal experience of becoming an American nearly a decade ago.

Mamdani's office had informed NBC News earlier about his 'major address' for the nation's semiquincentennial, marking another step onto the national political stage. This follows recent victories by three House candidates he endorsed, who won in Democratic primaries against incumbents.

His remarks came just hours before Trump's scheduled 250th anniversary address at Mount Rushmore. Surrounded by newly naturalized citizens waving US flags, Mamdani's speech coincided with the Supreme Court's decision to uphold birthright citizenship, a significant setback for Trump's immigration agenda.