Mamdani takes aim at Trump’s immigration agenda in July 4 speech from George Washington’s desk

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani used the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations on Friday, July 3, to deliver a speech defending immigration and diversity while taking aim at what he described as the "forces of division" shaping American politics.

Speaking from behind George Washington's desk inside New York City Hall, Mamdani addressed a room filled with recently naturalized American citizens holding US flags.

Although he never mentioned President Donald Trump by name, his remarks were widely seen as a response to the administration's immigration policies and political messaging.

Zohran Mamdani says America's strength comes from welcoming people

During the 14-minute speech, Mamdani argued that America's identity is rooted in opportunity rather than exclusion.

"For generation after generation, we have been told that when the world has sent its people to our shores, it has not sent its best," he said.

"We are told that America is exceptional because we are richer, stronger, and more powerful than everyone else. The truth, my friends, is that America is exceptional because here nothing is fixed in place. 

He went on to criticize what he called "small," "weak," and "unoriginal" ideas that define America through "the arena of supremacy, where only a select few are allowed freedom, where not all are created equal."

Mamdani also said some political leaders portray America as becoming weaker when it welcomes immigrants.

"America, if you ask them, becomes less the more people it welcomes," he said. "America, they will tell you, belongs only to those with the right accent or the right shade of skin."

NYC Mayor warns against politics built on division

The mayor said division has repeatedly been used throughout history as a political tool.

"Throughout the nation's history, those who led with exclusion and isolation have tried to win power and enrich themselves by turning us against one another," Mamdani said.

"Division is the oldest trick in politics, and the cheapest. But time and again - including 250 years ago - those forces of division have been vanquished by the forces of progress."

Drawing on his own background, Mamdani noted that he immigrated from Uganda at age seven and became a naturalized US citizen in 2018.

He described New York City as a place that continues to reflect America's founding ideals through its immigrant communities.

He also called the city "a city of contradictions within a nation of contradictions," saying the country's founding values remain unfinished work.

Zohran Mamdani says patriotism means improving America

The mayor also criticized immigration enforcement, saying communities come together regardless of immigration status.

"We see America each time neighbors link arms with neighbors - without asking how long they have lived here, or what papers they have - as ICE invades our neighborhoods," he said.

Responding to critics who tell opponents to "love it or leave it," Mamdani argued that patriotism means working to improve the country rather than ignoring its flaws.

"Patriotism has never been about pretending our nation is without flaws," he said. "It is precisely because we love this nation that we will not leave it."

Mamdani concluded by saying America's founding principles "are strong enough to endure any authoritarian regime, but only if we reach for them."

His speech comes after President Trump and several Republican allies have continued to focus heavily on immigration and citizenship issues.

Following recent primary victories by candidates backed by Mamdani, Trump urged Republicans to confront what he described as the spread of communism.

Mamdani has repeatedly rejected that label while continuing to promote his democratic socialist platform.