House Republicans have begun preparing strategies to block Zohran Mamdani from taking office as Mayor of New York City even if he wins the upcoming election on November 4.
What Republicans Are Looking At
- The key lever under consideration is the insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment, which bars individuals who “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” or who gave “aid or comfort to the enemies” of the United States from holding public office. GOP lawmakers and allied groups argue that some of Mamdani’s past rhetoric — especially his criticism of the enforcement of immigration laws and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — could meet the clause’s threshold.
- Separately, a push is ongoing to have the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate Mamdani’s path to citizenship. Reps. Andy Ogles (R-TN) and Randy Fine (R-FL) argue that Mamdani should be denaturalized due to alleged failure to disclose ties to certain organizations during his naturalization process.
- Some proponents envision introducing legislation in Congress to declare Mamdani ineligible to serve, which would require a House vote and potentially face Senate resistance. This idea recalls earlier efforts to use the 14th Amendment clause to remove former President Donald Trump from the ballot — a strategy that the Supreme Court has indicated must be addressed by Congress, not the courts directly.
Legal & Political Hurdles
- Even if a House majority adopts a resolution declaring Mamdani ineligible, it would face lawsuits likely challenging both the constitutional basis and procedural fairness of removing an elected candidate or official.
- The timing is tight: much of the deliberation is hinging on outcomes post-shutdown (once Congress resumes full work) and the result of the NYC election.
- Civil-rights groups and Democratic lawmakers have decried the effort as targeting Mamdani’s religion or political beliefs — especially given his status as a young Muslim progressive. They are framing the push as part of a broader fight over representation and inclusion.
What to Watch
- Whether the House will formally bring a resolution forward prior to or immediately after the election.
- How the DOJ responds to the letters requesting a citizenship investigation and whether any denaturalization process begins.
- The reaction in New York City, from voters and civic groups, if post-election efforts are made to remove or block the mayor-elect.
- Whether this sets a precedent for using the 14th Amendment clause in future local or national elections.
