A brewing storm in New York City politics has the GOP reaching into the dusty archives of the Constitution to challenge a rising star. Could a Civil War-era clause be the key to stopping a democratic socialist from taking the mayor’s seat at Gracie Mansion?
The Republican plan targets Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist poised to win the NYC mayoral election against Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, with polls showing him ahead by double digits, as reported by the Daily Mail. Their strategy hinges on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, a rarely invoked rule meant to bar those who’ve engaged in insurrection or aided enemies of the nation from holding office.
Mamdani’s strong lead has sparked alarm among many New Yorkers, with some even threatening to flee the city if he wins. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, however, has thrown up a roadblock, vowing a 100 percent tariff on anyone escaping to the Lone Star State, a move as bold as it is legally dubious.
The New York Young Republican Club spearheaded this audacious idea, claiming Mamdani’s anti-ICE stance qualifies as giving “aid or comfort” to America’s enemies. Their president, Stefano Forte, didn’t mince words, stating, “There is a real and legitimate push to see the insurrectionist Zohran Mamdani either a) removed from the ballot or b) removed from office if he is to win on Tuesday,” as told to The New York Post.
Let’s unpack that claim with a clear eye. Labeling a policy disagreement as insurrection feels like a stretch, more a political maneuver than a principled stand, especially when the same clause was wielded against President Trump in Colorado last year, only to be struck down by the Supreme Court.
Congressional Republicans are now pushing to place this on Speaker Mike Johnson’s agenda once the government shutdown resolves. Yet, with the need for a House majority and 60 Senate votes, plus likely court challenges, this plan seems more like a symbolic jab than a viable block.
President Trump, a native New Yorker, has thrown his weight behind Cuomo, setting aside past feuds to warn of disaster under Mamdani’s leadership. In a Truth Social post, Trump declared, “If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds,” signaling a hard line against the socialist’s agenda.
Trump’s choice of words paints a dire picture, but it sidesteps the reality that Mamdani’s policies, like rent freezes and free buses, resonate with struggling New Yorkers. While I question the economic sanity of a $30 minimum wage, dismissing it outright as communism ignores the genuine affordability crisis driving his support.
Cuomo, meanwhile, positions himself as the bulwark against both Trump and Mamdani, claiming, “We need a mayor who can stand up to Donald Trump.” But after his own rocky history, one wonders if New Yorkers see him as the steady hand or just another retread from a troubled past.
Born in Uganda and raised in Manhattan’s elite circles, Mamdani has crafted a populist appeal despite his privileged roots. His promises of city-owned grocery stores and billions in social programs aim to tackle New York’s soaring costs, a noble goal if you squint past the price tag.
Funding these ambitious plans through steep tax hikes on the wealthy and corporations, including a jump in the top corporate rate to 11.5 percent, has critics predicting an exodus of businesses. If firms bolt, the tax base crumbles, leaving Mamdani’s grand vision unfunded and the city in deeper chaos.
Even among his supporters, there’s unease about social tensions, with some fearing his leadership could worsen antisemitism in the city. That concern, paired with non-supporters calling his potential tenure a “disaster,” shows a polarized electorate bracing for impact.
As Mamdani stands on the cusp of becoming New York’s first Muslim mayor, the GOP’s constitutional Hail Mary reflects deeper anxieties about the city’s direction. While legal scholars doubt the insurrection clause’s applicability, the mere attempt signals how fiercely some will fight to preserve a certain vision of America.
New Yorkers themselves seem split, with nearly a million reportedly ready to leave if Mamdani wins, only to face Abbott’s punitive tariff threat. It’s a bizarre twist, treating citizens like taxable cargo, and underscores how national politics can turn local elections into battlegrounds.
Whatever the result, this race exposes raw nerves about socialism, economic policy, and the role of historical laws in modern governance. Mamdani’s likely victory on Tuesday, if unchallenged, will test whether bold progressive ideas can survive the harsh realities of running America’s largest city.
