Zohran Mamdani denounces Trump’s arrest threat, vows to resist ICE raids

Zohran Mamdani, Democratic Socialist state assemblymember and newly victorious New York City mayoral candidate, has condemned former President Donald Trump’s public threat to arrest him over his pledge to defy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. Mamdani called Trump’s remarks “an attack on our democracy” and vowed to resist any attempts at intimidation.

A defiant stance against ICE raids

Mamdani, who recently won the Democratic primary in a major upset over former Governor Andrew Cuomo, has positioned himself as a fierce critic of Trump’s immigration policies. In his victory speech, the 33-year-old Ugandan-born lawmaker pledged to use the full extent of his authority to prevent ICE agents from conducting mass deportations in New York City, declaring, “We will not let masked ICE agents terrorize our neighbors.”

Trump, who has made Mamdani a frequent target since his primary win, escalated his rhetoric in a press briefing earlier this week. Referring to Mamdani as a “100% Communist lunatic,” Trump falsely suggested that Mamdani is in the United States illegally. In reality, Mamdani immigrated to the U.S. from Uganda at age seven and became a naturalized citizen in 2018. When asked about Mamdani’s vow to obstruct ICE operations, Trump responded bluntly: “Well then, we’ll have to arrest him.”

Mamdani responds: “We will not accept this intimidation”

Hours after Trump’s comments, Mamdani issued a fiery rebuttal on social media, stating that the former president’s threats were an attempt to silence dissent. “Trump threatened to arrest me not because I’ve broken any law, but because I refuse to let ICE terrorize our city,” Mamdani wrote. “This isn’t just an attack on me—it’s an attack on every New Yorker who refuses to hide in the shadows. We will not accept this intimidation.”

Mamdani’s remarks come amid mounting protests against the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies. Demonstrations have erupted in cities across the country, with thousands taking to the streets to oppose ICE raids. In New York City, protests have drawn widespread attention, particularly after the detention of city comptroller Brad Lander by federal agents at an immigration courthouse last month. Lander had been observing court proceedings to document allegations of ICE arrests targeting immigrants attending hearings.

Wider implications for immigration policy

The controversy surrounding Mamdani highlights the broader national debate over immigration enforcement and sanctuary cities. Trump’s mass-deportation policies, which have mobilized federal agents to target undocumented immigrants across the U.S., have drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and local officials. Protests in cities like Los Angeles and New York have underscored public opposition to these measures, with activists decrying what they see as heavy-handed tactics designed to instill fear in immigrant communities.

Despite Trump’s threats, Mamdani has remained steadfast in his commitment to protect undocumented immigrants. His rise to prominence signals a growing shift in Democratic politics, with progressive candidates like Mamdani championing policies that challenge federal immigration enforcement and advocate for the rights of marginalized communities.

As the mayoral race unfolds, Mamdani’s defiance against Trump and his calls to resist ICE are likely to remain central themes in his campaign, reflecting the broader struggle over immigration policy in America.