In a historic election that captured worldwide attention, Zohran Mamdani won the race for mayor of New York City (NYC).
However, Mamdani’s victory was immediately overshadowed by President Donald Trump’s threat to withdraw federal funds from the city.
The 34-year-old Democratic representative and Queens state lawmaker will be the city’s first millennial and Muslim mayor of South Asian descent.
He won against independent former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. The 2025 New York mayoral election also saw the highest turnout since 1969.
But the festive mood at Mamdani’s Brooklyn headquarters was tempered by the looming political showdown with the White House.
Hours earlier, President Trump had intensified his attacks on Mamdani, whom he repeatedly called a “communist.”
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the 47th President of the United States wrote: “If communist candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the election for mayor of New York, I am very unlikely to contribute to federal funds… due to the fact that as a communist, this once great city has no chance of success, or even survival!”
He had previously hinted at the move, saying it would be difficult to send federal money to a city run by a “communist” during an interview with 60 Minutes.
Responding to the looming threat, Mamdani directly addressed the elephant in the room, saying, “If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it’s the city that birthed him.” »
“So Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: ‘Turn up the volume,'” he said enthusiastically.
In response to Mamdani’s victory, Trump first responded briefly on Truth Social: “…AND SO IT BEGINS! »
Can Trump legally withhold federal funds from a city?
The president’s claim to withhold federal funds from New York raises serious legal and constitutional questions.
Under the U.S. Constitution, the power of the purse rests with Congress, not the President.
Pursuant to Article I, Section 9, Clause 7, “No withdrawal of money shall be made from the Treasury, except in pursuance of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public funds shall be published from time to time.”
Additionally, in the U.S. Constitution, the Funds Control Act of 1974 specifically limits the president’s power to withhold funds after President Richard Nixon attempted to do so.
Titles I through IX of the act are known as the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Title II created the Congressional Budget Office.
Title III governs the procedures by which Congress annually adopts a budget resolution, a concurrent resolution that is not signed by the President, that establishes Congressional budgetary policy.
This budget resolution sets limits on revenue and spending that can be imposed on Congress through procedural objections called points of order. The budget resolution may also specify that a budget reconciliation bill be drafted, which Congress will then consider under expedited procedures.
What funding is at stake?
Federal funding plays a crucial role in the development of New York City.
According to the New York State comptroller’s recent report, the city is expected to receive $7.4 billion in federal funds for fiscal year 2026, or 6.4 percent of its total budget.
This funding helps support housing, social services, and programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Previously, the Trump administration blocked a $12 million grant for the New York City subway’s counterterrorism efforts.
The city is currently challenging this decision in court.
