'We will not accept intimidation': Zohran Mamdani counters Donald Trump's 'arrest' threat

Trump said his administration will get Mamdani arrested if the latter restricts Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from discharging its duties in the biggest city of the US.

In a strong response, Mamdani wrote on X, "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."

Mamdani last week dealt a heavy blow to former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in one step closer to becoming the first Muslim, Indian-origin Mayor of the biggest city in the US.

His win in the primary elections has irked Trump who called Mamdani "a 100 percent Communist Lunatic".

The President wrote on X, "It’s finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor. We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous.

"He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart, he’s got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!"

Earlier this week, Trump threatened to slash federal funds for New York City if favoured mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani does not 'behave himself' when elected to power.

"Let's say this, if he does get in, I'm going to be president, and he's going to have to do the right thing," Trump told Fox News.

"They're not getting any money. He's got to do the right thing," he said.

Who is Zohran Mamdani?

Mamdani, 33, is the son of Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair. A self-declared activist, he is backed by the Democratic Socialists of America Party.

Born in Uganda, Mamdani came to New York at the age of seven. The 33-year-old earned his BA degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College after attending Bronx High School of Science.

Before joining politics, Mamdani worked as a housing counselor and also performed as a rapper under 'Mr. Cardamom'.  

In 2020, Mamdani upset an incumbent to join the Assembly and was reelected unopposed.

In 2023, he co‑launched the city's first fare‑free bus pilot, boosting weekday ridership significantly and decreasing bus driver assaults by a huge margin.