A heated political controversy has erupted in New York City following Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic mayoral primary, with prominent Republican groups and figures calling for his citizenship to be revoked and for him to be deported from the United States1.
Right-Wing Groups Demand Action
The New York Young Republican Club (NYYRC) issued a public “call to action” on social media, urging former President Donald Trump’s administration to invoke the rarely used Communist Control Act to strip Mamdani of his citizenship and deport him. The group characterized Mamdani as a threat, stating, “The radical Zohran Mamdani cannot be allowed to destroy our beloved city of New York.” They specifically called on White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and Trump’s border czar Tom Homan to intervene, declaring, “The time for action is now. New York is counting on you”1.
Republican Leaders Echo Concerns
Stephen Miller, a key adviser to Trump, echoed these sentiments, framing Mamdani’s win as a symptom of failed immigration policies. Miller claimed the victory was “the clearest warning yet of what happens to a society when it fails to control migration,” and accused the Democratic Party of supporting a “diehard socialist who wants to end all immigration enforcement and abolish the prison system entirely”1.
Other Republicans, including Senator Mike Collins, suggested reviving Cold War-era anti-communist measures, referencing the notorious Un-American Activities Committee. Trump himself weighed in on his Truth Social platform, labeling Mamdani a “Communist Lunatic”1.
Background on Zohran Mamdani
Mamdani, who could become New York City’s first Muslim and Indian American mayor, was born in Uganda in 1991 and moved to New York with his family at age seven. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018. His campaign has focused on addressing the city’s affordability crisis, advocating for universal childcare, fare-free public buses, and a rent freeze for rent-controlled apartments1.
Legal and Political Context
The Communist Control Act, cited by the NYYRC, was enacted in 1954 during the height of McCarthyism. It theoretically banned the Communist Party in the U.S. and barred communists from certain positions, but it has rarely been enforced and has faced numerous legal challenges1.
Republican New York councilwoman Vickie Paladini also questioned Mamdani’s eligibility, arguing it would be “insane” for voters to elect someone who has been a citizen for less than ten years, especially “a radical leftist who actually hates everything about the country.” Her spokesperson later accused Mamdani of being eligible for removal due to alleged involvement in far-left organizations during college1.
Mamdani Responds
In response to the calls for his deportation, Mamdani emphasized his commitment to his adopted country, stating, “I moved here at age 7. It’s my home. And I’m proud to be a citizen, which means standing up for our Constitution.” He further suggested that critics “might consider reading it”1.
Looking Ahead
With incumbent Mayor Eric Adams set to run as an independent in the general election after facing and being cleared of corruption charges, the political climate in New York remains tense. The debate over Mamdani’s candidacy and citizenship is likely to remain a flashpoint as the city heads toward November’s mayoral election1.
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Do you think this kind of rhetoric about stripping citizenship and deporting a political opponent is actually going to backfire on the Republicans with voters, or are we at a point where this sort of extreme stance is becoming normalized in local politics?