Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate of Indian-origin for New York City Mayor, has vehemently rejected Donald Trump’s deportation threat. The President had accused Mamdani of being in the United States “illegally” and promised to have him arrested and deported. Trump made the statement after officials announced Mamdani as the Democratic nominee.
However, Zohran Mamdani has stated that he “will not accept intimidation” and labelled Trump’s threat an “attack on democracy.”. He blamed Trump for inciting hate and fear among immigrants in the country’s most diverse city.
Trump’s Deportation Threat
Trump attacked Mamdani soon after the candidate had won the Democratic nomination for mayor. While addressing the press, Trump called Mamdani a “lunatic and a communist” and raised questions regarding the legality of his citizenship. Trump threatened to have Mamdani arrested if he blocked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting operations in New York.
Trump falsely suggests @ZohranKMamdani is in the country “illegally” calls him a communist (he’s a Dem socialist) and then then goes on to call @ericadamsfornyc a “very good person” who he “helped out a little bit.” pic.twitter.com/7tOoULgPek
— Gloria Pazmino (@GloriaPazmino) July 1, 2025
Trump asserted that Mamdani, who immigrated to the US in 1998 as a seven-year-old, is not a legal citizen. He promised to send him back, inciting anger throughout immigrant communities and civil rights organizations.
Mamdani Responds: “We Will Not Be Intimidated”
Zohran Mamdani replied directly to President Trump. In a statement on X, he stated, “President of the United States just threatened to have me arrested, stripped of citizenship, placed in a detention camp and deported. Not because I have committed any crime but because I will not allow ICE to terrorise our city.”
My statement on Donald Trump’s threat to deport me and his praise for Eric Adams, who the President “helped out” of legal accountability. https://t.co/m7pNcT2DFS pic.twitter.com/UcYakMx4lI
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) July 1, 2025
He stated that Trump’s words are intended to silence the critics. “If you speak out, they will come for you,” he stated, referring to it as an open threat to all New Yorkers who refuse to live in fear.
Criticism of Adams and MAGA Politics
US President Donald Trump also spoke well of existing Mayor of New York Eric Adams, currently running independently. Adams was criticized by Mamdani, referring to his alignment with Trump’s “authoritarian threats” as dangerous.
It’s at a time when MAGA Republicans are going after healthcare and making billionaires richer that it’s a scandal that Adams is parroting Trump’s hate and division,” Mamdani said.
He contended that Adams had agreed to let ICE operate in his city in exchange for federal guardianship against corruption investigations.
November Outlook
According to media reports, Zohran Mamdani currently leads both Adams and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa in polling for the November election. His campaign has gained momentum as voters look for leadership that resists federal overreach and prioritises the city’s working families.
As the race heats up, Zohran Mamdani’s stance against Trump’s threats may further energise progressive voters across New York City.
