New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani‘s week from hell has seen him lose his grip on the leftist base that helped him rise to power.
Mamdani, an avowed Democratic Socialist, saw his rapid political ascent from little-known political activist to mayor linked to progressive and pro-Palestinian sectors of the left.
He was accused of being a ‘traitor’ by pro-Palestine protesters on Wednesday as he held a candle at a Union Square vigil marking the third anniversary of Hamas‘ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
One day later, Mamdani was confronted by protesters as he spoke about ICE‘s shooting of 28-year-old Oscar Bergal, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, in the Marble Hill neighborhood of northern Manhattan.
‘Mamdani is complicit,’ the protesters chanted, making it difficult to hear him.
The mayor called for ICE to be abolished during his remarks on Thursday. However, some of his supporters have started questioning his decision to repeatedly meet with President Donald Trump, most recently at Gracie Mansion in September.
Mamdani insisted to The New York Times on Friday that he met with President Trump ‘to ensure that we’re using every opportunity we have to deliver for this city.’
However, Mamdani was unable to sway Trump to release Bergal despite several phone calls to the President and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the outlet reported.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani was booed at an October 7 candlelight vigil in Union Square on Wednesday night
He has also faced criticism for repeatedly meeting with President Donald Trump, most recently at Gracie Mansion last month
‘Mamdani is complicit,’ protesters chanted at him on Thursday, as he addressed ICE’s shooting of Dominican immigrant Oscar Bergal alongside NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch
Signs that Mamdani’s grip on the left could be slipping started when the mayor appeared at the October 7 vigil.
Protesters chanted ‘traitor’ and ‘sellout’ at Mamdani, effectively accusing him of not living up to some of the political stances he became known for.
Mamdani stood stone-faced as the leftist demonstrators heckled him.
After leaving the memorial without addressing the crowds, Mamdani dined at Hinds Hall, the Upper West Side’s only Palestinian restaurant.
A masked activist who had been waiting for the mayor outside the restaurant ran up to his car and shouted, ‘Stop being a f***ing traitor.’
Another activist called Mamdani a ‘boot licker.’
David Carlucci, a Democratic strategist and former New York state senator, said the incidents outlined some of the struggles Mamdani was now facing as mayor.
‘The transition from activist to executive is one of the toughest challenges in politics,’ Carlucci told the Wall Street Journal.
The October 7 memorial was interrupted as pro-Palestinian demonstrators confronted Mamdani
Mamdani was later seen having dinner at Hinds Hall, the Upper West Side’s only Palestinian restaurant
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.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment.
