New York City’s incoming mayor, Zohran Mamdani, wasted no time taking aim at President Donald Trump just hours after his historic victory — threatening legal action if the president follows through on warnings to defund the city.
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, signaled his readiness to go toe-to-toe with the president during an appearance on “Good Morning America” Wednesday morning.
“The first thing is, you actually utilize the courts,” Mamdani said. “You stop treating things as being law just by virtue of the fact that President Trump is saying them.”
Referencing past pushback by California Democrats, Mamdani floated a legal strategy to counteract any federal moves to withhold funding, suggesting he would rally city and state leaders to sue the administration if necessary.
Doubling Down on the Confrontation
Mamdani’s remarks echoed the defiant tone of his victory speech Tuesday night, where he addressed Trump directly and challenged the president’s threats to penalize New York City for electing him.
“I have said time and again that I will work with the president if he wants to work together to deliver on his campaign promises of cheaper groceries or a lower cost of living,” Mamdani told NY1 during a round of post-election interviews. “But… if the president looks to come after the people of this city, I will be there standing up for them every step of the way.”
The progressive newcomer made headlines Tuesday night when he delivered a fiery line directed at Trump from his election night stage:
“Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: Turn the volume up.”
He added, “If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him.”
Trump Responds: “And So It Begins”
President Trump responded in a post on Truth Social, writing simply, “…AND SO IT BEGINS!”
Later that morning, he addressed Republican senators at the White House, acknowledging that Tuesday’s elections were not ideal for the GOP. He didn’t name Mamdani directly but spoke to the broader Republican disappointment.
“We had that big, beautiful victory exactly one year ago,” Trump said, referencing his 2024 reelection. “And last night it was, you know, not expected to be a victory. It was very Democrat areas. But I don’t think it was good for Republicans. I’m not sure it was good for anybody.”
The Battle Lines Are Drawn
Mamdani’s win in the nation’s largest city marks a dramatic leftward shift in New York City politics, and sets up a high-stakes clash between the city’s far-left leadership and Trump’s White House.
Trump had repeatedly labeled Mamdani a “Communist” during the campaign and warned that his election would bring disastrous consequences for the city — including threats to strip federal funding. Now, with Mamdani officially the mayor-elect, that standoff is no longer hypothetical.
The new mayor has made it clear: if Trump follows through, he’s ready for a courtroom battle. And with both men looking to shape the next chapter of America’s political direction, New York City may once again become the center of the storm.
The post Socialist NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani Fires Warning at Trump: “I Will Utilize the Courts” appeared first on Real News Now.
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