(C) SBS

WASHINGTON D.C. — The nascent administration of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a progressive political newcomer, is already facing potential federal retribution, as sources indicate President Donald Trump is actively considering whether to cut off or substantially reduce federal financial assistance to the city. This move is widely viewed as a direct reprisal against Mamdani, whom the president has repeatedly and publicly branded a "communist."

The potential withdrawal of federal funding signals a deepening political schism between the Trump White House and the nation’s largest city, now set to be governed by a prominent figure of the Democratic Party's progressive wing.

White House Weighs Sanctions 

According to reports on Wednesday, citing anonymous White House officials, advisors to President Trump are currently reviewing proposals to either freeze or revoke existing federal aid earmarked for New York City. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the administration is awaiting the president's approval on a final decision to halt the city's funding. The official confirmed that the White House has not been in communication with the Mamdani transition team regarding the matter.

The specific financial and programmatic details of what New York City stands to lose were not disclosed by the official. Federal aid is critical for a host of essential city services, ranging from infrastructure projects and transportation to public housing, education, and healthcare initiatives. A significant reduction could severely strain the city's budget and operational capacity.

Presidential Warnings Preceded Election 

President Trump's threat to use federal funding as a political weapon is not new. Throughout the New York City mayoral campaign, he consistently warned that a victory for Mamdani would result in the federal spigot being turned off.

Trump's rhetoric escalated following Mamdani's unexpected win. On November 5, days after the election, the president used a forum in Miami to reiterate his claims, characterizing the election outcome as part of a broader Democratic attempt to "communize America."

In an interview with Fox News on the same day, Trump underscored his perceived control over the city’s finances, stating, "He [Mamdani] must be very kind to me. Because I am the one who approves many things that go to him." This statement emphasized his position as the ultimate arbiter of the flow of federal dollars, suggesting a transactional relationship where political alignment is tied to financial support.

The Rise of Zohran Mamdani 

The target of the president’s ire, Zohran Mamdani, is a 34-year-old political novice who gained national attention after staging a stunning upset in the June Democratic primary. Mamdani defeated the powerful former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a long-time fixture in Democratic politics, to secure the party's nomination. His subsequent victory in the general election makes him the city's next mayor, with his term set to officially begin on January 1 of the coming year.

Mamdani, who ran on a platform advocating for ambitious progressive policies, is widely seen as a symbol of the Democratic Party's leftward shift. His political identity and successful campaign, therefore, present a direct ideological challenge to the conservative agenda of the Trump administration. The looming threat of financial sanctions suggests the federal government is prepared to exert maximum political pressure on the incoming mayor from the moment he takes office.

The impending confrontation between Washington and New York City is poised to become a high-stakes test of federal-city relations, with the financial well-being of millions of New Yorkers hanging in the balance.