New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani shrugged off a House-passed resolution denouncing the “horrors of socialism” during an Oval Office appearance with President Donald Trump on Friday.
A majority of the House Democratic Caucus, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and 86 other Democrats, voted in support of the symbolic resolution, just hours before Mamdani visited the White House. Many progressives, such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), voted against the measure, which was led by Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL).
Mamdani, a socialist, appeared unbothered when asked about his reaction to the legislation.
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“I have to be honest with you, I focus very little on resolutions,” he told reporters in the Oval Office.
“I think the focus is on the work at hand,” Mamdani continued. “I can tell you I am someone who is a Democratic socialist. I’ve been very open about that. And I know there might be differences about ideology, but the place of agreement is the work that needs to be done to make New York City affordable, that’s what I look forward to.”
Mamdani’s embrace of socialism and pro-Palestinian stance have led to strained tensions within the Democratic Party. Jeffries spent months dodging an endorsement of Mamdani, even after he won the Democratic primary for mayor. The House leader eventually supported him the day before early voting started.
Trump met with Mamdani on Friday for their first-ever meeting. Mamdani cruised to victory in the New York mayoral race, defeating former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
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The president, who endorsed Cuomo in that race, largely played nice with Mamdani during the meeting despite his repeated attacks during the campaign.
“I really think there’s a chance to do a great job. We’re going to help him, but I really think he has a chance to do a great job,” Trump said of Mamdani, signaling a thawing of tensions.