Boston and Los Angeles are being highlighted as a blueprint for standing up to President Donald Trump’s expansive second-term agenda, according to New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. During a press conference on Monday in Brooklyn, Mamdani stated, “We have seen that the best way to fight Donald Trump is to do exactly that. It’s to fight him. It’s not to cower. It’s not to collaborate.” This comment appeared to be aimed at his rival, former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
When questioned regarding a possibly imminent move by Trump to eliminate cashless bail in New York City—similar to an action taken in Washington, D.C.—Mamdani responded assertively, pledging to oppose any such changes. “The Trump administration is one that we can see a model for how to fight it across this country,” he said, referencing the approach taken by Boston’s Mayor Michelle Wu and even drawing parallels to international leaders like Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Under Mayor Michelle Wu’s leadership, Boston has been vocal against Trump’s immigration policies. She has pushed back against the administration’s efforts aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, reaffirming The Trust Act in December 2024 to limit local collaboration with federal immigration enforcement. Responding to a threatening letter from Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding Boston’s sanctuary city status, Wu declared, “Stop attacking our cities to hide your administration’s failures. Unlike the Trump administration, Boston follows the law.”
Mamdani articulated a clear strategy, saying, “I think you have to use every single tool available to you.” He highlighted the legal resources used effectively in California to resist what he termed an overreach by the Trump administration, specifically its immigration enforcement tactics. He referenced ongoing protests in Los Angeles against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, which escalated into riots earlier this year.
In California, Governor Gavin Newsom has also taken a stand against Trump’s policies. After Trump federalized the National Guard without state consent, Newsom filed a lawsuit, arguing the action was unlawful. “It is through belief in the convictions that you hold in the very fabric of the city you represent that you are able to fight back against an administration that is seemingly hellbent on tearing apart the city,” Mamdani indicated on Monday, echoing sentiments shared by Newsom.
Mamdani did not shy away from criticizing Trump’s proposed legislation, calling it a “big, beautiful bill.” He claimed this bill would lead to millions of New Yorkers losing their health insurance, diminishing support for food assistance through SNAP, and exacerbating the affordability crisis in New York City. “It will make it even more difficult to afford to live in the most expensive city in the United States of America,” Mamdani stated, highlighting the potential impact of these policy changes.
As the situation develops, the White House has yet to respond to requests for comments on the remarks made by Mamdani and the ongoing battles between various cities and the Trump administration. This ongoing conflict underscores the tense political landscape as many local leaders reject federal immigration enforcement practices and seek to define their own policies in direct opposition to the Trump agenda.
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