Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced on Tuesday that he plans to initiate contact with President Donald Trump even before officially assuming office on New Year’s Day. Speaking with NBC New York, Mamdani highlighted that building a strong and cooperative relationship between City Hall and the White House “will be critical to the success of the city.” He emphasized that, regardless of political differences, maintaining open channels of communication is essential to ensure that New York City’s interests are represented and safeguarded at the federal level.
“I will be reaching out to the White House as we prepare to officially take office,” Mamdani said, though he did not provide a specific timeline for that initial outreach, according to reports by the New York Post. His comments indicate a proactive approach aimed at bridging potential divides between the incoming city administration and the federal government, particularly on contentious issues such as immigration enforcement and public safety policies.
Mamdani also noted that he intends to engage directly with Trump on topics that affect the daily lives of New Yorkers. “If President Trump wants to speak about lowering the cost of living or delivering more affordable groceries, like he campaigned on in 2024, I’m there to have that conversation,” Mamdani said, demonstrating a willingness to find common ground on practical issues that impact families and working residents across the city.
He further elaborated that his interactions with the president would always prioritize the well-being of New Yorkers. “I’m here to work for the benefit of everyone that calls this city home, and wherever there is an opportunity to collaborate, I’m ready. But if any federal policies threaten the interests or well-being of New Yorkers, I will challenge them directly,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to balance diplomacy with advocacy.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, when asked about Mamdani’s outreach efforts, told The Post, “I’ll let the president respond himself to that comment by Mr. Mamdani,” leaving the response to the president’s discretion.
During the months leading up to the November 4 mayoral election, Trump had issued stark warnings, stating that he might consider withholding federal funding from New York City or even pursuing a federal takeover if Mamdani, whom he labeled a “Communist,” were to win. Since Mamdani’s victory, however, Trump has adopted a more tempered tone. In public remarks, he stated, “I hope it works out for New York” and added, “we’ll help him a little bit, maybe,” signaling a cautious but slightly conciliatory approach.
Trump also emphasized the importance of respect and pragmatism in Washington, telling Fox News anchor Bret Baier, “He has to be a little bit respectful of Washington because if he’s not, he doesn’t have a chance of succeeding. I want to make the city succeed.” Despite these comments, Trump confirmed that he currently has no plans to personally contact Mamdani, suggesting instead that it would be more appropriate for Mamdani to initiate communication. “I’m here,” Trump stated, leaving the door open for dialogue but placing the initial responsibility on the incoming mayor.
In parallel, Mamdani revealed in the interview that he has been in communication with Governor Kathy Hochul to discuss strategies for handling Trump’s periodic threats and ongoing public criticism. This proactive coordination with state leadership demonstrates Mamdani’s intent to approach the transition period strategically, balancing diplomacy with vigilance to protect New York City’s autonomy and interests.
On the staffing front, Mamdani announced that Elle Bisgaard-Church, his longtime chief adviser, will continue serving in her role at City Hall. Bisgaard-Church has been widely recognized as the “chief architect” behind Mamdani’s campaign proposal to deploy social workers for certain non-violent 911 calls — an initiative that has sparked significant public discussion. Her continued role ensures continuity in policy planning and strategic guidance as Mamdani prepares to assume office.
Bisgaard-Church, an Ivy League-educated California native and a relative newcomer to the political scene, is affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). She played a critical role in shaping Mamdani’s messaging to voters and developing the Department of Community Safety proposal. This initiative aims to reallocate certain emergency responses, replacing police officers with mental health professionals for non-life-threatening incidents, particularly in public spaces such as subway stations.
In crafting this proposal, Bisgaard-Church reportedly consulted with a wide array of experts, including mental health professionals, public safety officials from other cities, and Rodney Harrison, former Chief of Department for the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The plan, outlined on Mamdani’s campaign website, projects an estimated cost of approximately $1.1 billion and has drawn both significant support and criticism for its ambitious reimagining of public safety in the city.
In addition to policy development, Bisgaard-Church played a central role in organizing weekly coordination meetings between Mamdani’s campaign and the New York City chapter of the DSA. These sessions were designed to ensure that the grassroots organizations supporting Mamdani’s candidacy remained aligned with his broader vision and policy priorities. Campaign staff have widely credited her as a primary force behind the development of the Department of Community Safety proposal and a key driver in securing voter support that led to Mamdani’s victory.
With these strategic appointments and proactive outreach plans, Mamdani appears poised to enter City Hall with a clear vision of both maintaining productive federal relationships and advancing his policy agenda. Balancing collaboration with the White House, addressing concerns from critics, and implementing ambitious social programs are likely to define the early months of his tenure as mayor.