Zohran Mamdani Clinches Democratic Nomination for NYC Mayor- President Donald Trump Threatened Denaturalisation

July 1, 2025 | Jamaica Live News Desk

In a stunning political breakthrough, the New York City Board of Elections has officially declared 33-year-old Zohran Mamdani as the winner of the Democratic mayoral primary, marking a historic moment in the city’s political landscape.

Mamdani, a state assemblyman from Queens and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, secured victory with 56% of the vote in the final round of the ranked-choice primary—defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a closely watched race.

With this win, Mamdani becomes the Democratic Party’s nominee for the upcoming November general election and now stands a strong chance of becoming the city’s next mayor. If elected, he would make history as New York City’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor.

 Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, will be facing the following candidates in the general election for Mayor of New York City: 

• Eric Adams: The incumbent Mayor, who is running as an independent candidate.
• Curtis Sliwa: Running on the Republican line.
• Jim Walden: Running as an independent candidate.
• Andrew Cuomo: The former governor, who is also running on an independent line but has not yet decided if he will continue campaigning. 

This election is expected to be competitive, with Mamdani facing challenges from these various candidates. Mamdani is considered the favorite in a city where registered Democrats significantly outnumber Republicans. He won the Democratic primary after securing 56% of the vote. 

Speaking after the confirmation of his victory, Mamdani emphasized his vision for a “city for the many, not the few,” pledging to fight for housing justice, police accountability, and investment in public services. His campaign drew support from progressive grassroots organizations, immigrant communities, and younger voters galvanized by a message of equity and change.

Mamdani’s win signals a significant shift in the Democratic Party’s direction in the city, pushing aside establishment figures in favour of a new generation of leadership.

The general election is set for November, where Mamdani is expected to face a diverse slate of opponents.

“I am humbled by the support of more than 545,000 New Yorkers in last week’s primary,” Mamdani said in a statement following the Board’s announcement. “This is just the beginning of our expanding coalition to make New York City affordable. And we will do it together.”

The Queens-based Assemblyman, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, campaigned on a progressive platform centered on housing justice, stronger tenant protections, investment in public services, and police accountability. His message resonated strongly with young voters, immigrant communities, and working-class New Yorkers, many of whom have long felt sidelined by establishment politics.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on Tuesday, stating he would arrest New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani if the progressive politician were to block federal immigration authorities from detaining undocumented immigrants.

Responding to a reporter’s question about how his administration would handle Mamdani should he win the mayoral election and refuse cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Trump did not mince words.

“Well then, we’ll have to arrest him,” Trump declared. “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.”

The remarks have already drawn fierce criticism from civil liberties groups and immigrant rights advocates, who say the president’s comments are undemocratic and reminiscent of authoritarian rhetoric.

Mamdani who is the son of Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani, is a vocal critic of ICE, pledging to uphold New York City’s sanctuary city policies if elected.

Trump’s comments are likely to intensify the national spotlight on the NYC mayoral race, injecting federal politics into what has traditionally been a local contest. Legal experts warn, however, that any attempt by a sitting president to arrest a mayor for declining to assist ICE would face serious constitutional challenges.

Following President Trump’s statement, Mamdani issued a formal response of his own.

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. 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. 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’s candidacy represents a generational and ideological shift in the city’s Democratic Party—one that has embraced more left-leaning, grassroots candidates in recent cycles.

With national implications and deep interest from New York’s Caribbean, African, and Muslim communities, the 2025 mayoral race is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in the city’s history.

Jamaica Live will continue to monitor this landmark race and its implications for immigrant communities, the Caribbean diaspora, and the broader American political climate.