In a significant shift, President Donald Trump has apparently rescinded his plans to deploy National Guard troops to New York City. The decision emerged after a meeting with the city's Mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, signaling a potential de-escalation in their previously contentious relationship.
A Change of Plans After the Oval Office Meeting
Speaking with reporters at the White House on Saturday, President Trump was directly asked if he still intended to send the National Guard to his home state. Trump responded, "If they need it, [I will send troops]. Right now, other places need it more, but if they need it." He cited a "very good meeting" held the previous day as a key factor, adding, "We talked about that, but if they need it, I would do it."
This move comes after the president faced considerable scrutiny for sending troops to other Democratic-led cities, including Chicago and Los Angeles, where the deployments were linked to violent raids and arrests.
From Insults to an Unexpected Dialogue
The Friday meeting between Trump and Mamdani at the White House was a pivotal moment. Before this encounter, the two political figures had a highly public and bitter relationship, frequently exchanging insults in interviews and on social media.
The tension had escalated further when President Trump threatened to cut federal funding to New York City if Mamdani, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, won the mayoral race. Mamdani had previously defeated Trump's endorsed candidate, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Despite the heated history, the Oval Office meeting was described as surprisingly cordial. However, Mamdani did not back down from his previous characterization of Trump. When a reporter asked the mayor-elect if he still viewed the president as a fascist, Trump interjected, "That's OK, you can just say yes. It's easier than explaining it, I don't mind."
"OK, yes," Mamdani responded with a smile, as Trump gave him a seemingly friendly pat on the arm.
Standing Firm on Principles While Seeking Common Ground
Appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Mamdani was questioned again about his past comments. He confirmed that his views had not changed. "That's something that I've said in the past. I say it today," he stated.
He elaborated on the nature of his discussion with the president, highlighting a mutual acknowledgment of their disagreements. "I think what I appreciated about the conversation that I had with the president was that we were not shy about the places of disagreement, about the politics that has brought us to this moment," Mamdani explained.
He also pointed to a shared goal, noting that they wanted to focus on "what it could look like to deliver on a shared analysis of an affordability crisis for New Yorkers." This suggests that despite profound political differences, both leaders identified a common issue affecting the city's residents.
