NEW YORK CITY, August 7, 2025 — Zohran Kwame Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, has leveled serious allegations against former Governor Andrew Cuomo, claiming that Cuomo is coordinating with former President Donald Trump to sway the upcoming mayoral election. Mamdani’s accusations center on claims that this collaboration aims to deploy federal agents against immigrants and slash vital social services in the city.
In a statement posted on X, Mamdani expressed outrage, stating, “Today we learned Andrew Cuomo is directly coordinating with Donald Trump, even as this President sends masked agents to rip our neighbors off the streets and guts the social services so many New Yorkers rely on. It’s disqualifying and a betrayal of our city.” This statement comes amidst reports that Trump has been actively researching the NYC mayoral race, potentially considering an endorsement for Cuomo, who was defeated by Mamdani in the Democratic primary earlier this year.
The political landscape in New York has been tense, with Trump’s second term seeing a resurgence of aggressive immigration enforcement. Reports indicate that federal agents have been conducting operations in NYC, focusing on immigration courthouses and targeting individuals with criminal backgrounds, though bystanders and relatives have also been affected. This crackdown has been part of a broader strategy that has seen half of the migrants arrested in the NYC area since January occurring under Trump’s administration, according to new federal data.
Mamdani’s accusations are set against a backdrop of ongoing budget battles in the city. Mayor Eric Adams’ proposed $106.7 billion budget, which includes cuts to public libraries, social services, and education, has already been a point of contention. The City Council, led by Speaker Adrienne Adams and Finance Chairman Justin Brannan, has been pushing back against these cuts, arguing that they harm essential services. Mamdani’s concerns suggest that any further reduction in social services, potentially influenced by Trump and Cuomo’s alleged coordination, could exacerbate the strain on NYC’s most vulnerable populations.
The allegations have reignited debates about the role of federal intervention in local politics and the impact of national policies on city governance. As the mayoral race heats up, the intersection of immigration enforcement, budget cuts, and political alliances is shaping a contentious electoral battle in the nation’s largest city.