In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has seemingly thrown his support behind NYC Mayor Eric Adams' re-election bid, while simultaneously issuing a stern warning to Democratic socialist and mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani.
Trump's warning was clear: any attempt to obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations could result in arrest.
Trump, speaking from the "Alligator Alcatraz" illegal alien detention facility in Florida, described Adams as a "very good person." He further stated, I helped him out a little bit, referencing the Department of Justices move to dismiss Adams federal corruption case. He had a problem, and he was unfairly hurt over this question. That was a Biden indictment. I said, Dont feel bad. I got indicted five times.
Adams, a Democrat from New York, had been accused of corruption and bribery, charges that both he and Trump have characterized as politically-motivated retaliation for his outspoken criticism of former Democrat President Joe Bidens lax "open border" immigration policies. According to One America News, Adams has been a vocal critic of Biden's immigration policies, which he believes have been too lenient and have contributed to the current immigration crisis.
In the same vein, Trump has escalated his criticisms of Mamdani, warning that the 33-year-old socialist mayoral candidate could face incarceration if he defies the ongoing illegal immigration enforcement efforts. Well have to arrest Mamdani, if that happens, Trump asserted.
This week, Trump weighed in on the NYC mayoral race, offering a tacit endorsement of Adamsa former Democrat who is now running as an Independent. You would think that a Republican would be able to win, OR you have a good Independent running for mayor, Trump said.
Mamdani, on the other hand, has been highly critical of ICE, labeling it a "rogue agency" that infringes on "New Yorkers rights" while "undermining sanctuary protections." In a CNN interview, Mamdani claimed that masked ICE agents who pull up on New Yorkers at their regular check?in or in their apartment building lobby were terrorizing the city and country. The NYPD will serve public safety not assist Trumps ICE agents, Mamdani said previously.
Mamdani's platform includes a variety of proposals, such as freezing rent-stabilized rates for the citys approximately 2.5 million tenants and constructing 200,000 union-built homes over the next decade. He also supports taxpayer-funded bus rides citywide, with a freeze on subway fares, and taxpayer-funded childcare for all children from 6?weeks to 5?years old. He proposes developing city-owned grocery stores in each borough to "reduce food costs," and increasing corporate tax to approximately 11.5% and adding a 2% income tax on those earning over $1 million.
Mamdani's plans also extend to education and climate initiatives, proposing to direct new taxpayer revenue toward universal CUNY/SUNY tuition, public school decarbonization, and resilience investments. He recommends a new taxpayer-funded department focused on mental health, homelessness, crisis response, and preventing violence, and plans to use opioid settlement funds for "supportive housing and safe injection facilities."
While Trump's endorsement of Adams may seem surprising, it underscores the former President's commitment to conservative principles, particularly in relation to immigration policy. As the NYC mayoral race continues, it remains to be seen how these endorsements and warnings will impact the final outcome.
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