A self-described “democratic socialist” is now set to run New York City, the financial capital of America and, arguably, of the free world.
Just the News has reportedly obtained internal documents from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) outlining how the group’s New York City chapter, to which Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani belongs, plans to pressure him into implementing sweeping anti-Israel policies throughout city governance and public life.
Mamdani, who defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa on Tuesday, has long been a fixture in the DSA, where he’s listed as one of nine “New York State Socialists in Office.” The organization played a key role in his campaign, backing him in both the Democratic primary and the general election.
During the mayoral race, Mamdani attempted to downplay his ties to the group’s more radical and revolutionary platform — and, according to Politico, the NYC DSA branch actively helped him do so by providing public cover to make his campaign appear more moderate than it truly was.
According to the “Socialists in Office” website, the group is composed of “DSA-endorsed elected officials who work together in the New York State Legislature to advance a socialist vision for working-class people across our state” — and among those featured is Mamdani.
A resurfaced video from 2023 shows Mamdani delivering the keynote address at the DSA’s national conference, where he declared “when the boot of the NYPD is on your neck, it has been laced by the IDF.” The remark drew sharp criticism at the time and underscored his alignment with the DSA’s radical anti-Israel rhetoric — a stance he notably tried to soften during his mayoral campaign.
The internal planning document from the DSA’s Anti-War Working Group (AWWG), revealed that the group has spent weeks strategizing how to pressure the incoming Mamdani administration to carry out its hard-left “demands.” Among those demands: using the power of New York City Hall to advance an aggressive anti-Israel agenda.
The document lays out in detail how the DSA plans to leverage its influence over Mamdani — one of its own — to turn the mayor’s office into a testing ground for the group’s broader socialist and anti-Israel policies. Among them, per Just the News:
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“Divest City pension funds from Israeli bonds and securities,”
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“Withdraw City funds from banks that lend money to Israel or do business in Israel,”
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“End City contracts with companies that do business with Israel,”
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“Operate City-run grocery stores free from Israeli products,”
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“Investigate real estate agents hosting illegal sales of stolen lands in the West Bank,”
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“Evict weapons manufacturers and transporters from the NYC Metro Area,”
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“Divest CUNY endowment and reinstate wrongly fired professors,”
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“Dismantle Eric Adam’s NYC-Israel economic council,”
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“End repression of demonstrators and the SRG [the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group],”
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“Remove non-profit status from charities that raise funds for IDF,” “End NYPD training with IOF,” and
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“Arrest Netanyahu and active IDF soldiers for war crimes.”
Mamdani delivered a fiery victory speech late Tuesday, promising to deliver on his left-wing agenda and declaring his election a historic mandate for change.
Mamdani, 34, who will become New York City’s first socialist, first Muslim, and first mayor of South Asian descent, claimed victory at Brooklyn’s Paramount Theatre, The New York Post reported.
The Uganda-born lawmaker said his win belonged to all immigrant New Yorkers and condemned Islamophobic attacks on his campaign.
“As Eugene Debs once said, I can see the dawn of a better day for humanity,” Mamdani said, quoting the early 20th-century socialist presidential candidate.
He also invoked the words of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, saying, “A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new.”
Raised on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Mamdani thanked working-class New Yorkers who powered his campaign.