New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing mounting criticism from parts of the progressive movement that helped propel him into office, following a series of confrontations over Israel, immigration enforcement and his working relationship with President Donald Trump.
The Democratic Socialist was branded a “traitor” by pro-Palestinian demonstrators at a candlelight vigil marking the third anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. A day later, protesters interrupted his remarks about an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shooting in northern Manhattan, accusing him of complicity.
The incidents have raised questions about whether Mamdani can maintain the support of activists who backed his political rise while navigating the responsibilities and compromises of governing New York City.
October 7 Vigil Becomes a Flashpoint for Political Tensions
Mamdani faced boos and accusations of betrayal on Wednesday when he attended the Union Square vigil commemorating the victims of the October 7 attack on Israel.
Some demonstrators chanted “traitor” and “sellout”, signalling their dissatisfaction with the mayor’s presence at the memorial and what they viewed as a departure from the positions that helped establish his political identity.
Mamdani reportedly remained composed as the crowd heckled him and left without addressing the demonstrators.
He later went to Hinds Hall, described as the Upper West Side’s only Palestinian restaurant, where activists were also waiting outside. One masked protester approached his car and shouted an expletive-laden accusation of betrayal, while another called him a “boot licker”.
The confrontations highlighted tensions between Mamdani and some pro-Palestinian activists, a constituency associated with his rapid rise from political activist to mayor.
ICE Shooting Triggers Another Confrontation
The criticism continued on Thursday when Mamdani spoke in Marble Hill, northern Manhattan, about the shooting of Oscar Bergal, a 28-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic.
As the mayor addressed the incident alongside New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch, protesters repeatedly chanted, “Mamdani is complicit,” disrupting his remarks.
Mamdani called for ICE to be abolished, a position consistent with his longstanding criticism of the federal immigration enforcement agency. Nevertheless, the protesters’ reaction showed that his opposition to ICE had not been enough to satisfy all of his critics.
Authorities have described Bergal as an undocumented immigrant with a felony record and alleged gang affiliations. His lawyer, Harold Solis, said Bergal remained in a federal detention facility in Brooklyn with a bullet still in his body.
According to the account provided, Bergal had been driving with his five-year-old son when he was shot by an ICE officer.
Mamdani’s Meetings With Trump Draw Criticism From the Left
Beyond the protests, Mamdani has faced questions from some supporters over his repeated meetings with Trump, whose political positions differ sharply from those of the New York mayor.
Their most recent meeting took place at Gracie Mansion in September. For some progressive critics, the encounters have raised concerns about whether Mamdani is compromising his principles in an effort to secure results from the federal government.
Mamdani defended his approach in comments to The New York Times on Friday, saying he met with Trump “to ensure that we’re using every opportunity we have to deliver for this city.”
However, the newspaper reported that the mayor was unable to persuade Trump to secure Bergal’s release, despite making several calls to the president and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
The episode has added to the scrutiny of Mamdani’s strategy of engaging directly with the administration while continuing to criticise its immigration policies.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch Also Faces Progressive Opposition
Mamdani’s position on Tisch has created another source of friction with some on the left.
The police commissioner appeared alongside the mayor during his remarks about Bergal’s shooting and has faced criticism from activists over the NYPD’s response to protests following the incident.
Police were criticised after officers pushed anti-ICE demonstrators to the ground on Thursday night. Among those protesting was Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Mamdani ally and Democratic congressional candidate who is also a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
Chevalier called for Tisch to resign, accusing the police department of prioritising the protection of a group she described as a militia over the safety of New Yorkers.
“The NYPD spent more time protecting a militia that just shot someone than protecting New Yorkers,” she wrote on X.
Mamdani, however, made clear that he had no immediate plans to remove the commissioner.
“Jessica Tisch is the police commissioner and there are no plans to change that,” he told The New York Times on Friday.
He added that he and Tisch would review “all of the events of the last 24 hours”.
Transition From Activist to Mayor Presents a Political Test
The backlash has illustrated the difficulties Mamdani faces in balancing the demands of progressive activists with the practical responsibilities of leading the city.
David Carlucci, a Democratic strategist and former New York state senator, said the confrontations reflected a broader challenge faced by politicians moving from campaigning to executive office.
“The transition from activist to executive is one of the toughest challenges in politics,” Carlucci told The Wall Street Journal.
For Mamdani, the challenge involves maintaining the trust of supporters who expect him to uphold his political commitments while making decisions that affect public safety, policing and relations with the federal government.
The recent protests do not establish that he has lost the support of the wider progressive movement, but they demonstrate that some activists are prepared to challenge him publicly when they believe his actions fall short of their expectations.
Bergal’s Detention Adds Pressure on City Leadership
The circumstances surrounding Bergal’s shooting have intensified the political dispute, bringing immigration enforcement, policing and the mayor’s relationship with federal officials into the same controversy.
His lawyer’s statement that Bergal remained detained with a bullet in his body has added to concerns raised by his supporters. Meanwhile, the demonstrations and criticism of the NYPD have increased pressure on Mamdani to address the incident and the conduct of law enforcement.
The mayor’s decision to retain Tisch, despite demands for her resignation from some progressive allies, underscores the tensions between maintaining working relationships within city government and responding to activists seeking more sweeping changes.
Mamdani has said that he and Tisch will review the events surrounding the shooting and the subsequent protests.
Mamdani Faces Questions Over His Progressive Coalition
The confrontations at Union Square and Marble Hill have placed Mamdani under pressure from different directions. Some pro-Palestinian activists criticised his participation in the October 7 memorial, while immigration activists questioned his response to the ICE shooting and his approach to federal officials.
His defence of Tisch has also exposed divisions between the mayor and some political allies who want a tougher response to the NYPD’s handling of demonstrations.
Whether the disputes develop into a broader rupture with his progressive base remains uncertain. For now, Mamdani faces the challenge of demonstrating that he can work across political divides without losing the support of the activists who helped bring him to power.
The Daily Mail said it had contacted Mamdani’s office for comment.
