Muslim American members of Congress called out the “vile, anti-Muslim, and racist” attacks on New York Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, who is poised to secure the Democratic Party’s nomination in New York City’s mayoral race.
Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Rashida Talib (Mich.), André Carson (Ind.), and Lateefah Simon (Calif.) put out a statement in defense of Mamdani, who has faced racist attacks against him since his stunning primary upset against disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“The vile, anti-Muslim, and racist smears from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle attacking Zohran Mamdani cannot be met with silence,” the members said in a statement on Friday.
In the days since his electrifying win, Mamdani has become the subject of intense attacks.
President Donald Trump, for instance, melted down about Mamdani’s win while also saying he will likely become mayor in a Truth Social post earlier this week.
“Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor,” Trump posted. “We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous.”
But Trump’s comments paled in comparison to the onslaught of racism Mamdani faced from other conservatives.
Conspiracy theorist and Trump sycophant Laura Loomer claimed there will be “another 9/11 in NYC” if Mamdani becomes mayor. And Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) posted an AI-generated image of the Statue of Liberty draped in a burqa.
“This hits hard,” Greene, who is from Georgia, wrote about the fake image.
Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk also used the 9/11 attacks to suggest Mamdani ― who was a child when the terrorist attacks happened ― can’t be trusted to lead because he is a Muslim.
Perhaps most shocking was Rep. Andy Ogles’ (R-Tenn.) call for Mamdani to be “subject to denaturalization proceedings” and deported over a line in a rap song that the democratic socialist released in 2017.
“These hateful, Islamophobic, and racist tropes have become so entrenched and normalized in our politics. We know these attacks all too well,” the Muslim American congressmembers wrote.
The statement added that attacks on Mamdani can’t be allowed to continue, especially as violence against elected officials has increased. The racist attacks “directly contribute to the ongoing dehumanization and violence against Muslim Americans,” the group said.
“We unequivocally reject the normalization of anti-Muslim hate and fearmongering and call on elected leader across our country to speak out,” they added.