Investigation Urged Against NYC Mayoral Candidate
Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN) is calling for the Justice Department to look into Zohran Mamdani, who is running for mayor in New York City. Ogles suggests that Mamdani may not have fully disclosed his past sympathies for individuals convicted of terrorism before gaining U.S. citizenship. This request has led to significant backlash from House Democrats, who have labeled Ogles’ actions as “non-American,” “Islamophobic,” and “anti-immigrant.”
In a post on a social media platform, Ogles described Mamdani as an “anti-Semitic, socialist, communist” and stated that he should be deported, asking for a process to evaluate this. The post included a reference to Attorney General Pam Bondy to initiate an inquiry under a specific U.S. law.
Citing a report from the New York Post, Ogles mentioned that Mamdani had shown support for convicted terrorists before becoming a citizen. He pointed out that the Holy Land Foundation, which was convicted of aiding Hamas—an organization designated as a terrorist group—was praised by Mamdani, which raises questions about what he disclosed during his naturalization process.
While Ogles acknowledged potential First Amendment concerns, he argued that Mamdani’s public support for convicted terrorists may warrant a legitimate inquiry into his advocacy or affiliations as they relate to citizenship.
Ogles also noted Mamdani’s failure to distance himself from the phrase “Globalization of Intifadas,” calling it a call for terrorism and violence against civilians. According to Ogles, this pattern of behavior and past endorsements of terrorists legitimizes scrutiny regarding Mamdani’s naturalization.
Ogles concluded that the process for becoming a citizen relies on honest disclosures about any connections to groups that pose threats to U.S. security. He cautioned that if Mamdani concealed such associations, it might represent a significant misrepresentation under federal law.
In response, Representative Richie Torres (D-NY)—a supporter of Israel and Zionism—rejected Ogles’ accusations and framed them as an unacceptable attack on Mamdani’s faith and citizenship. Torres stated, “I may disagree with Zohran Mamdani, but all decent individuals should clearly denounce the Islamophobic attacks against him.”
He further expressed that demanding the deportation of an American citizen solely based on his religion or political beliefs is unjust and not characteristic of American values, urging a rejection of any form of bias.
Other Democrats have condemned Ogles’ remarks as well. Representative Summer Lee (D-PA) criticized the rampant Islamophobia present in media and politics, suggesting that people like Ogles should be held accountable. Meanwhile, Representative Susie Lee (D-NV) emphasized that, despite personal disagreements with Mamdani’s policies, it’s essential to recognize the real dangers posed by Islamophobia to him and to Muslims in the U.S.
