US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he would arrest New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani if he blocks federal immigration authorities from detaining undocumented immigrants.
Speaking to reporters, Trump was asked how he would handle Mamdani if he were elected mayor and refused to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Well then, we’ll have to arrest him,” Trump said. “Look, we don’t need a communist in this country. But if we have one, I’m going to be watching over him very carefully on behalf of the nation.”
Mamdani responded on X/Twitter, writing: “The 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.”
“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,” he added.
“We will not accept this intimidation. That Trump included praise for Eric Adams in his authoritarian threats is unsurprising but highlights the urgency of bringing an end to this mayor’s time in City Hall,” Mamdani wrote.
He continued, saying: “At the very moment when MAGA Republicans are attempting to destroy the social safety net, kick millions of New Yorkers off of healthcare, and enrich their billionaire donors at the expense of working families, it is a scandal that Eric Adams echoes this president’s division, distraction, and hate.”
“Voters will resoundingly reject it in November,” Mamdani concluded.
Trump reacts to primary results
Following Mamdani’s recent win in the Democratic primary for NYC mayor, Trump criticized the candidate on Truth Social.
“It’s finally happened. The Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary and is on his way to becoming mayor,” Trump wrote.
“We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart, he’s got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him.”
Trump added: “Yes, this is a big moment in the history of our country!”
Reuters contributed to this report.