Zahran Mamdani Says Trump Threatened to Revoke His Citizenship

Watan-Zahran Mamdani, the candidate who won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor, said on Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to strip him of his citizenship and deport him—adding that he refuses to be silenced or intimidated.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Mamdani was responding to Trump’s accusations that he was obstructing the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with regard to deporting undocumented immigrants.

Mamdani explained that Trump threatened to revoke his citizenship and deport him because Mamdani had pledged not to cooperate with ICE if elected mayor of New York City.

“Trump didn’t say those words because I broke the law, but because I will not allow ICE to terrorize our city,” Mamdani wrote.

He added: “Trump’s statements are not only an attack on our democracy, but also a message to every resident of New York who refuses to stay silent. We will not accept being silenced or threatened.”

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at a new migrant detention center in Florida, Trump said that if Mamdani did not cooperate with ICE, “they will have to arrest him.”

Also on Tuesday, Mamdani—a member of the New York State Assembly—officially won the Democratic primary to become the party’s nominee for New York City mayor, according to certified results.

He secured 56% of the vote, beating his rival, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, by 12 points.

At 33 years old, Mamdani would become New York’s first Muslim mayor of South Asian descent if he wins the general election on November 4.

A self-described democratic socialist, Mamdani has campaigned on promises including free public transit, a rent freeze, and higher taxes on New Yorkers with high incomes.