Just as New Yorkers prepare to head to the polls, a political firestorm has erupted over Democratic Socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani — the frontrunner in the city’s mayoral race.
With his victory looking almost certain, Republicans have unveiled a last-minute and controversial plan to stop him, reaching deep into the history books for a rarely used Civil War-era clause in the U.S. Constitution.
The Civil War-Era Clause Republicans Want to Revive
The GOP’s new strategy centers on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, sometimes referred to as the “insurrection clause.”
It was originally written to prevent those who had “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” or offered “aid or comfort” to America’s enemies from holding office.
Now, New York’s Young Republican Club believes that same law could be used against Mamdani — arguing that his stance against ICE qualifies as aiding the country’s enemies.
The group’s president, Stefano Forte, told the New York Post there’s “a real and legitimate push” to have Mamdani removed from the ballot or ousted if he wins.
The House GOP is reportedly considering placing the idea on Speaker Mike Johnson’s agenda once the looming government shutdown ends.
A Legal Longshot With Echoes of the Trump Case
While the move has generated buzz in conservative circles, experts say it’s an extreme longshot.
To take effect, it would require a majority vote in the House, 60 votes in the Senate, and would almost certainly face legal challenges.
Ironically, this same clause was used in an unsuccessful attempt to keep Donald Trump off Colorado’s 2024 ballot.
In that case, the Supreme Court ruled that only Congress — not individual states — has the power to enforce the clause.
“Responsibility for enforcing Section 3 rests with Congress,” the justices said unanimously, overturning the Colorado Supreme Court’s ruling.
Mamdani’s Momentum and Growing Political Panic
At just 34 years old, Mamdani — a self-proclaimed democratic socialist — is on track to make history as New York’s first Muslim mayor.
Polling by JL Partners for the Daily Mail shows him leading by 15 points over former governor Andrew Cuomo, with Republican Curtis Sliwa trailing behind.
But his rise has left many New Yorkers anxious. Critics fear his progressive agenda could drive the city into economic decline, recalling the gritty, crime-ridden days of the 1980s.
Even some of his supporters believe his leadership could worsen antisemitic tensions in the city.
Trump’s Fiery Intervention and Unexpected Endorsement
Donald Trump, never one to hold back, has made his feelings about Mamdani clear.
In a Truth Social post, he called the candidate a “communist” and warned that a Mamdani-led New York would be “a complete and total economic and social disaster.”
In a surprising twist, Trump set aside his long-standing feud with Andrew Cuomo to endorse the former governor — saying he’s “capable” of the job, while insisting that voting for Republican Curtis Sliwa would only hand victory to Mamdani.
“You really have no choice,” Trump wrote, “You must vote for Cuomo.”
Sliwa hit back, accusing Trump of hypocrisy, pointing out that Trump himself once labeled Cuomo a failure over his handling of COVID-19.
“New Yorkers won’t be bullied back into the past,” Sliwa told the Daily Mail.
Cuomo and Mamdani Exchange Jabs
As Trump’s endorsement made waves, Cuomo fired back at both men, saying New York needs a leader “who can stand up to Donald Trump.”
He also claimed that Trump would “go through Mamdani like a hot knife through butter.”
Mamdani, for his part, responded with sarcasm on social media: “Congratulations, @AndrewCuomo.
I know how hard you worked for this,” he wrote, mocking the alliance between two unlikely political opponents.
Texas Governor Joins the Fray With a Bizarre Threat
Adding to the political drama, Texas Governor Greg Abbott weighed in from afar with a peculiar warning.
Abbott declared he would impose a “100 percent tariff” on anyone trying to move from New York to Texas if Mamdani wins — a clear jab at wealthy New Yorkers who’ve threatened to flee the city.
While the legality of such a move is doubtful — U.S. states don’t have the authority to tax people like imported goods — Abbott’s comments underscore just how politically charged Mamdani’s potential victory has become.
A Candidate From Privilege Promising Change
Mamdani’s personal story adds another layer of intrigue. Born in Uganda, he moved to New York at age seven and grew up in privilege — attending a Manhattan private school where tuition now tops $66,000 a year.
Despite his upbringing, he has struck a chord with working-class voters and young New Yorkers fed up with rising rents and economic inequality.
His platform is bold: freezing rent hikes, providing free bus rides, offering fully-funded daycare for children under five, creating city-run grocery stores, and raising the minimum wage to $30 an hour.
To pay for it all, Mamdani proposes higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations — a 2% hike for millionaires and a jump in the top corporate rate from 7.25% to 11.5%.
Critics Warn of a Financial Exodus
Opponents warn that such sweeping tax hikes could drive businesses and high earners out of New York, leaving the city unable to sustain Mamdani’s expensive programs.
Some economists fear that could trigger a financial exodus similar to the one seen in the 1970s, when New York nearly went bankrupt.
A City Divided on the Edge of a Political Shift
With election day imminent, the city is bracing for a political shake-up unlike any in decades.
Whether Mamdani’s message of socialist reform becomes a turning point for New York — or a cautionary tale of progressive overreach — remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: his rise has already reshaped the political landscape far beyond the five boroughs, turning a local election into a national spectacle watched closely from Washington to Texas.