Trump will eye Mamdani

The Trump administration will not allow Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to neglect Jews in New York City, according to Leo Terrell, chair of the US Department of Justice’s Task Force to Combat Antisemitism.

“If this mayor turns his back on the Jewish American community, President Trump will take decisive action and the weight of the Department of Justice will be in New York City,” Terrell said. “I can guarantee you of that.”

Trump held a civil press conference with Mamdani, who has said he would have Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if the premier comes to the city, after the two met in the Oval Office. The president called the meeting “very productive” and joked about the mayor-elect considering him a fascist.

Terrell told JNS that there is an “ongoing investigation” about a chaotic, antisemitic protest outside a Nefesh B’Nefesh event at Park East Synagogue in Manhattan.

“We don’t trust the city of New York to do the right thing,” he said.

Terrell said he doesn’t think Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, will pursue charges against protesters who blocked the synagogue’s front entrance, barring congregants from safely accessing the building.

The Trump administration “will not allow Jewish Americans to be denied their right to practice their religion,” Terrell said.

He added that time will tell whether Mamdani will change his behavior once he becomes mayor.

“I don’t think there is any prior indication that Mamdani is going to protect Jewish Americans,”  told JNS.