NYC Voters Will Reject ‘Jihadist, Antisemitic’ Agenda
House Republican Leadership Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) unloaded Friday on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) after he officially endorsed “jihadist communist” Zohran Mamdani for New York mayor, saying the decision would doom Democrats’ chances of taking back the House.
In a scathing statement, Stefanik did not mince his words. “Like the worst governor in America @KathyHochul, Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries finally bent the knee and endorsed jihadist communist Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor,” she said, calling it “an AFFURABLE decision for Jeffries” that reveals “how poor his judgment is.”
On Friday, Jeffries announced his support for the Democratic socialist congressman a day before early voting began, ending months of silence that created a division among Democrats. In a statement to New York TimesJeffries acknowledged “areas of principled disagreement” but said Mamdani won “a free and fair election” in the Democratic primary and urged the party to unite against what he called an “existential” threat from President Donald Trump.
Seeking to downplay socialist positions, Jeffries wrote: “Zohran Mamdani has focused relentlessly on solving the affordability crisis and has explicitly committed to being mayor for all New Yorkers, including those who do not support his candidacy. » He added, “With that in mind, I support him and the city’s entire Democratic slate in the general election.” »
But the congresswoman warned that Jeffries’ support ties him directly to Mamdani’s radical agenda — and will haunt Democrats nationally.
“Not only does this approval pave the way for a dangerous tax hike that would destroy the city, but Jeffries now owns EVERYTHING Mamdani represents and he can kiss any hope of a Democratic majority in the House goodbye,” Stefanik said. “From promising to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to defunding the police, abolishing private property, canceling private health insurance and preventing ICE agents from doing their jobs, Jeffries is in step with Commie Mamdani and his comrade Hochul. »
Stefanik, who is expected to challenge Hochul in the 2026 gubernatorial race, framed his support as a capitulation to the socialist wing that now dominates the Democratic Party. “This is an AFFURABLE decision for Jeffries and highlights how poor his judgment is,” she continued. “New Yorkers will reject this reckless embrace of the anti-Semitic policies of criminals, communists and jihadists on Election Day, two weeks from now – and beyond. »
Stefanik’s harsh rebuke comes as Mamdani faces increasing scrutiny over his political positions and associations.
A shocking survey released Friday morning found that more than 25 percent of New Yorkers say they would consider fleeing the city if Mamdani were elected mayor, Breitbart News reported. Exodus fears have intensified as Mamdani has doubled down on a far-left agenda of massively raising taxes on middle-class and wealthy New Yorkers.
Beyond his economic agenda, Mamdani’s inflammatory statements on Israel and foreign policy have sparked violent backlash. More than 850 rabbis signed a letter Wednesday opposing the candidate, warning that his “rhetoric threatens the safety of Jews across the country.” He recently appeared on Qatari state television accusing the United States of “financing genocide,” and he refused to denounce the call to “globalize the Intifada.”
His family history only amplified the concerns. His wife, Rama Duwaji, recently mourned a Palestinian influencer widely known for promoting Hamas propaganda, while his father, scholar Mahmood Mamdani, wrote in defense of suicide bombings and published a laudatory biography of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.
Perhaps most controversial was Mamdani’s endorsement of imam Siraj Wahhaj, named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Last Saturday, Mamdani was photographed posing with Wahhaj – whom he hailed as “one of the country’s leading Muslim leaders” – at a campaign event. Wahhaj preached that homosexuality is a “disease.” He once called for an unarmed “10,000-man army” to wage an unarmed jihad across New York City.
Renowned 9/11 lawyer Michael Barasch, whose firm represents more than 45,000 victims, exclusively told Breitbart News that Mamdani’s ties to the radical imam “insult the 9/11 families.” Lawmakers warned that “jihad is coming” if the socialist lawmaker takes control of City Hall.
Jeffries’ endorsement follows Gov. Hochul’s capitulation earlier this month, when she supported Mamdani despite his record. Notably, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has yet to offer his support, remaining one of the few major New York Democrats to withhold support.
For Stefanik, the stakes go beyond New York City. Citing an internal poll, his team says a possible matchup against Hochul in 2026 would be competitive. In Friday’s statement, Stefanik linked Hochul and Jeffries to Mamdani’s agenda, warning that “jihadi criminals, communists and anti-Semitic politicians” now define New York’s Democratic leadership.
The general election will be held on November 5 and early voting will begin on Saturday. Mamdani faces former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, who has Stefanik’s backing alongside other prominent Republicans, including former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY). Despite Democrats’ lopsided registration advantage, Republicans believe Mamdani’s hardline positions will alienate moderates and independents from the left.
Joshua Klein is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at jklein@breitbart.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoshuaKlein.
