Trump says he and Mamdani ‘didn’t discuss’ NYC mayor-elect’s vow to arrest Netanyahu during congenial meeting

JTA – United States President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani covered a lot of ground in their highly anticipated meeting at the White House on Friday, 21 November, discussing agenda items such as housing and affordability. 

One topic that apparently did not come up, however, was Mamdani’s vow to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should he step foot in New York City once Mamdani takes over as mayor on 1 January 2026. 

“We didn’t discuss the second part of your question,” Trump told a reporter following the private meeting, referring to a question about whether he would stop Mamdani from arresting Netanyahu. 

Mamdani’s promise to arrest Netanyahu is on the basis of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court, to which the US isn’t a party. Later, when asked about Mamdani’s frequent references to following international law, Trump deflected the question, saying, “I don’t know what you’re referring to in terms of, it could be covered by international law, local laws, it’s covered by a lot laws, it’s covered by US law,” and ultimately allowed Mamdani to answer. 

“What I’ve shared with the president is our desire not only to follow the laws of our own city, laws that protect New Yorkers, but a desire for consistency in our politics across the board,” Mamdani said. 

The mayor-elect’s promise to arrest Netanyahu is seen as an area that could lead to conflict between the president, who considers Netanyahu an ally, and the New York City mayor-elect, who accuses Netanyahu of committing genocide. 

But there was little conflict on Friday afternoon during a meeting that was viewed as crucial in ensuring that New York City retains federal funding that Trump has threatened to cut, and that Mamdani can get the security clearance typically afforded to mayors. 

Trump was effusive in his praise of Mamdani, who like him rose to power on populist sentiment and after overcoming traditionalists in their party. He called Mamdani “hopefully a really great mayor”, and the overall dynamic between the two leaders was chummy despite their political differences and name-calling in the lead-up to the mayoral election. 

Trump has referred to Mamdani as “my little communist”, while Mamdani has called Trump a “despot”, a position he was asked about again on Friday, and which Trump brushed aside. 

Mamdani was asked multiple times about his accusations that Trump is a “fascist”, initially answering that “President Trump and I, we are very clear about our positions and our views.” When asked again, Mamdani began answering the question indirectly, before Trump let him off the hook with an easy out. 

“That’s OK, you can just say yes,” Trump said, patting Mamdani on the arm and laughing. “It’s easier than explaining. 

“I’ve been called a lot worse than despot,” Trump also said. 

Trump and Mamdani addressed questions on issues including Israel’s war in Gaza and Jewish safety in the city, following a half-hour meeting closed to the press. 

“I think you feel very, very strongly about peace in the Middle East,” Trump said to Mamdani, answering a question about the region. 

Mamdani replied that he’d asked Trump voters in New York why they voted for the president, and one answer he’d hear repeatedly was, “They wanted an end to forever wars. They wanted an end to the taxpayer dollars we have funding violations of human rights.” 

Mamdani was later asked about his accusations that the US government was committing genocide. The mayor-elect corrected the reporter, saying, “I’ve spoken about the Israeli government committing genocide, and I’ve spoken about our government funding it. And I shared with the president in our meeting about the concern that many New Yorkers have of wanting their tax dollars to go to the benefit of New Yorkers, and their ability to afford basic dignity.” 

The meeting came one day after a protest outside an Upper East Side synagogue that was holding an event promoting immigration to Israel drew condemnation. Mamdani’s spokesperson said he “discouraged” the language used in the protest, but suggested the event was a misuse of the “sacred space”. 

A question about Jewish safety was asked immediately after the press conference concluded, which Mamdani stuck around to answer, though he did not address Thursday’s protest. 

“I care deeply about Jewish safety, and I look forward to rooting out antisemitism across the five boroughs and protecting Jewish New Yorkers and every New Yorker who calls the city home,” Mamdani said. 

Trump praised Mamdani’s decision to keep Jessica Tisch, who comes from a prominent Jewish family, as his police commissioner. 

“He just retained a great police commissioner,” Trump said. “He retained somebody that is a friend of some people in my family, Ivanka, and they say she’s really good, really competent.” 

Though Mamdani’s appointment of Tisch has reassured some Jewish New Yorkers concerned about the community’s safety, others more critical of Mamdani weren’t swayed. 

Representative Elise Stefanik, who is running for governor as a Republican, has positioned herself as a bulwark against antisemitism who will prevent Mamdani from achieving the state legislative wins necessary for his democratic socialist agenda. 

But Trump appeared to undercut Stefanik, disagreeing with her claim that Mamdani was a “jihadist”. 

“No, I don’t,” Trump said, when asked if he believed he was seated next to a jihadist on Friday. “But she’s out there campaigning. You say things sometimes in a campaign.” 

Praising Stefanik, he said, “She’s a very capable person.” Then he said about Mamdani, “I met a rational person. I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again.”