Sign in Subscribe
Mayors

Trump Threatens to Take Over New York City If Democratic Candidate Wins Mayoral Election

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

President Donald Trump warned that he might take over New York City if the Democratic candidate, Zohran Mamdani, wins the mayoral election, echoing his previous threats to expand presidential power. Trump specifically stated that he has "tremendous power at the White House to run places when we have to," citing the potential for a "communist" mayor as a reason for possible intervention.

Trump's threat has sparked concerns among experts, with Elizabeth Goitein, an expert on presidential power at the Brennan Center for Justice, stating that there is "no emergency power that allows the president to take over a city" and that the 10th Amendment gives powers not enumerated in the Constitution back to the states.

Trump's history of testing the Constitution has led to concerns about the potential for him to disregard democratic processes. His advisers have considered using the Insurrection Act to deploy federal troops for law enforcement in Los Angeles, and the administration has been sued by California for taking control of the state's National Guard.

Trump has also mentioned the possibility of taking over Washington, DC, which has a clear precedent for the federal government being in charge. However, Congress ceded self-governance to DC residents back in 1973, with a law signed by President Richard Nixon, who supported self-rule for the city.

Key Takeaways:

  • Trump threatened to take over New York City if Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the mayoral election, citing the potential for a "communist" mayor.
  • Trump stated that he has "tremendous power at the White House to run places when we have to," but experts argue that there is no emergency power that allows the president to take over a city.
  • Elizabeth Goitein, an expert on presidential power at the Brennan Center for Justice, said that the 10th Amendment gives powers not enumerated in the Constitution back to the states, making Trump's threat unconstitutional.
  • Trump's history of testing the Constitution has led to concerns about the potential for him to disregard democratic processes.
  • His advisers have considered using the Insurrection Act to deploy federal troops for law enforcement in Los Angeles, and the administration has been sued by California for taking control of the state's National Guard.
  • Trump also mentioned the possibility of taking over Washington, DC, which has a clear precedent for the federal government being in charge.
  • Congress ceded self-governance to DC residents back in 1973, with a law signed by President Richard Nixon, who supported self-rule for the city.
  • Trump has been criticized for aligning with the "BOWSER Act," which would repeal DC's home rule and put the city more under federal control.
  • Trump has promised to "renovate" RFK stadium as a home for the Washington Commanders, but has not followed through on his promise.

Statistics:

  • 5 million registered voters in New York City (Domingo Morel)
  • 1973: The year Congress ceded self-governance to DC residents (CNN)
  • 1974: The year Washingtonians voted for their first-ever popularly elected mayor (CNN)
  • 14th Amendment: The amendment that grants birthright citizenship, which Trump has repeatedly questioned (CNN)

Sources:

  • CNN: "Trump threatens to take over New York City if Democratic candidate wins mayoral election"
  • Brennan Center for Justice: "The 10th Amendment and the Power of the States"
  • Nixon Presidential Library: "Richard Nixon's View of Self-Rule for the District of Columbia"
  • The New Yorker: "The Disenfranchisement of New York City"

Read more