Zohran Mamdani’s Week From Hell Shakes His Grip on New York’s Left

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is enduring a turbulent week, with visible signs that his once-solid support among the progressive left may be weakening.

The self-described Democratic Socialist rose quickly from relative obscurity, propelled by progressive activists and pro-Palestinian groups that helped elevate him to City Hall.

But on Wednesday, pro-Palestinian demonstrators branded Mamdani a “traitor” as he attended a candlelight vigil in Union Square commemorating the third anniversary of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The mayor faced another hostile reception the following day while discussing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement shooting of Oscar Bergal, a 28-year-old Dominican immigrant, in Marble Hill, northern Manhattan.

“Mamdani is complicit,” protesters repeatedly shouted, drowning out portions of his remarks.

Mamdani used the appearance to call for the abolition of ICE. Yet his approach has also unsettled some supporters, particularly his repeated meetings with President Donald Trump, including a September gathering at Gracie Mansion.

In an interview with The New York Times on Friday, Mamdani defended those discussions, saying he met Trump “to ensure that we’re using every opportunity we have to deliver for this city.”

Even so, his appeals did not persuade Trump to release Bergal, despite several calls the mayor made to the president and to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, according to the outlet.

The first clear indication that Mamdani’s relationship with the left was fraying came at the October 7 memorial service.

Demonstrators accused the mayor of being a “traitor” and a “sellout,” suggesting that he had abandoned or failed to honor positions that once defined his political identity.

Mamdani remained expressionless as protesters heckled him throughout the gathering.

He left the vigil without speaking to the crowd and later had dinner at Hinds Hall, described as the Upper West Side’s only Palestinian restaurant.

Outside the restaurant, a masked activist who had been waiting for him rushed toward the mayor’s vehicle and yelled, “Stop being a f***ing traitor.”

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A second activist shouted that Mamdani was a “boot licker.”

David Carlucci, a Democratic strategist and former New York state senator, said the confrontations reflected the difficult political adjustment Mamdani is making in office.

“The transition from activist to executive is one of the toughest challenges in politics,” Carlucci told the Wall Street Journal.

Mamdani was met with more jeers Thursday night when he addressed the shooting of Bergal, who authorities have said is undocumented with a felony record and gang affiliations.

The mayor spoke next to NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch, who has also faced pushback from the left.

The NYPD was recently criticized after pushing anti-ICE protesters to the ground on Thursday night following Bergal’s shooting.

Mamdani ally and Democratic congressional candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier was among those demonstrators.

Chevalier, who is a Democratic Socialists of America member like Mamdani, called for Tisch to step down in the wake of what happened.

‘The NYPD spent more time protecting a militia that just shot someone than protecting New Yorkers,’ Chevalier said on X.

However, Mamdani was adamant that Tisch would not be leaving her position.

‘Jessica Tisch is the police commissioner and there are no plans to change that,’ Mamdani told the Times on Friday. 

He added that he and Tisch would review of ‘all of the events of the last 24 hours.’

Bergal was driving with his 5-year-old son when he was shot by ICE. His lawyer, Harold Solis, said Bergal was still in a Brooklyn federal jail with a bullet in his body. 

Our News Outlet has reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment.