‘He’s targeting me because…’: Zohran Mamdani responds to Trump’s deportation remarks

Zohran Mamdani Slams Trump’s Deportation Threat, Calls It a Distraction From Policy Failures.

Indian-origin New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has strongly responded to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats to have him arrested, denaturalised, and deported. Speaking at a rally in New York, Mamdani accused Trump of using personal attacks as a political tactic to divert attention from pressing issues facing working-class Americans.

In a video statement shared on social media, the 33-year-old progressive politician said, “Trump is attacking me not because of my identity alone, but because of what I represent and what I fight for—working people.”

Mamdani, who could become the city’s first Muslim, first South Asian, and first immigrant mayor in generations, said Trump’s comments were aimed at distracting from the content of his campaign and policy criticisms. The attacks came shortly after Mamdani reaffirmed his pledge to reduce New York City’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities—prompting Trump to respond with: “Well then, we’ll have to arrest him.”

Trump also falsely suggested that Mamdani may not be a legal citizen, stating, “A lot of people are saying he’s here illegally,” despite the candidate’s well-established naturalized citizenship.

Addressing a crowd at the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council headquarters, Mamdani stated, “These threats are not just about me—they are about silencing dissent and intimidating those who stand up for marginalized communities.”

He also took aim at Trump’s proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” calling it a harmful economic policy that would lead to millions losing healthcare access and food security. Mamdani argued that instead of defending the bill publicly, Trump is using inflammatory rhetoric to change the subject.

“This isn’t just about political disagreement,” Mamdani said. “It’s about a former president choosing division over solutions and scapegoating immigrants to distract from how his policies have failed working people across this country.”

Despite the backlash, Mamdani reaffirmed his commitment to his campaign, declaring that he would not be silenced or intimidated. “I’m not backing down. I will keep organizing, I will keep fighting, and I will keep speaking the truth—because New Yorkers deserve a mayor who works for them, not for fear.”