‘Won’t Be Intimidated’: Zohran Mamdani Fires Back at Trump’s ‘Arrest’ Threat

New York’s Democratic mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, has vehemently pushed back against President Donald Trump’s threat to have him arrested over his pledge to resist federal immigration raids. In a powerful statement, Mamdani, the son of acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, declared he “will not accept this intimidation,” framing the remarks as an “attack on our democracy.”

The controversy ignited after Trump, speaking at a Florida detention center on Tuesday, warned that if Mamdani obstructs Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, “we’ll have to arrest him.” Trump’s comments came shortly after Mamdani officially secured the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City and is set to compete in the November general election.

In his response, Mamdani, who was born in Kampala, Uganda, and moved to New York at age seven, addressed Trump’s threats directly. “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 terrorise our city,” he stated. He further added, “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 shadow: if you speak up, they will come for you.”

During his press conference, Trump escalated his rhetoric against the 32-year-old candidate, labeling him a “pure, true communist” and a “total nut job.” He also cast doubt on the legality of Mamdani’s citizenship, stating, “A lot of people are saying he is here illegally. You know we are going to look over everything.” Mamdani became a US citizen in 2018.

Mamdani also criticized Trump for praising New York’s current Mayor, Eric Adams, within the same “authoritarian threats.”

The son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani, Zohran Mamdani’s progressive platform and endorsement from Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez propelled him to a surprising victory in the Democratic primary. Backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, his win has been met with fierce opposition from conservative circles. Several Republicans have reportedly called for the cancellation of his citizenship.

If elected in November, Mamdani would become New York City’s first Muslim mayor.