Mayor-Elect Mamdani Consults Democratic Governors on Trump Strategy

Conversations with Pritzker, Moore, and Shapiro focus on protecting NYC from federal overreach

Building Coalition Against Federal Pressure

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has been reaching out to several prominent Democratic governors seeking advice on governance and strategies for dealing with President Donald Trump’s administration, according to sources familiar with the conversations. Mamdani has spoken with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in recent weeks, with some discussions occurring as recently as this week. All three governors have previously clashed with Trump and offer valuable experience in resisting federal pressure on Democratic-led jurisdictions.

Learning from Governors’ Experiences

Mamdani’s conversation with Governor Pritzker focused particularly on Trump’s threats to send troops into Democratic-run cities. Trump has previously attempted to deploy federal forces to Chicago and has made similar threats regarding New York City, claiming both cities are in “bad shape” and need to be “straightened out.” According to ABC News reporting, Trump recently stated on social media that his administration will “ramp up” efforts to crack down on crime in Chicago, prompting Pritzker’s defiant “come and get me” response. The Illinois governor has also opposed Trump’s efforts regarding ICE operations, with Trump claiming Pritzker “should be in jail for failing to protect Ice Officers.” The two leaders discussed not only Trump’s aggressive posture but also their shared commitments to centering affordability in their governance agendas. In his election night conversation with Governor Moore, Mamdani applauded Moore’s work cutting red tape and discussed innovations in government. Moore has praised Mamdani’s campaign narrative around affordability, noting it mirrors parts of his own agenda in Maryland. Recently, Moore released $62 million to ensure full November SNAP benefits for Marylanders, explicitly calling out Trump’s administration for “leaving his residents in the cold.”

Clearing the Air and Building Relationships

Mamdani’s call with Governor Shapiro occurred before last week’s election and served to clear the air after Shapiro criticized Mamdani’s campaign in July, saying it left “far too much space for extremists.” According to Semafor, Shapiro told reporters he had a “healthy dialogue” with Mamdani about their differences. The conversation also covered policy matters including the importance of permitting reform and reconstructing Interstate 87, a major national thoroughfare running through New York. Shapiro has been vocal in his criticism of the federal government’s handling of various issues, particularly around SNAP benefits funding in his state. Looking ahead, Mamdani has indicated he plans to continue building relationships across party lines. In an interview with NBC 4 New York, he stated he will reach out to the White House ahead of taking office “because this is a relationship that will be critical to the success of this city.” Trump, who has called Mamdani a “communist”–a label Mamdani rejects, identifying instead as a democratic socialist–said he is willing to help Mamdani “a little bit, maybe.” The outreach to Democratic governors represents a strategic approach to preparing for potential conflicts with the federal government. According to the National Governors Association, state executives have increasingly coordinated their responses to federal policies they view as harmful to their constituents. As Mamdani assembles his administration, these conversations with experienced executives who have successfully navigated hostile federal relationships will likely inform his approach to protecting New York City’s interests while maintaining necessary working relationships with Washington.