Houston Mayor John Whitmire, a Democrat, criticized New York City’s Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani for his comments about Israel and his approach to leadership.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, won the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor in a political upset that drew national attention. His victory likely ensures his election in the heavily Democratic city.
“He’s saying he’s going to arrest the prime minister of Israel? You think that’s how you bring people together? He and me are in different universes,” Whitmire told The New York Times, as cited by Fox News Digital.
Mamdani has said he would instruct police to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he ever visited New York City, citing an International Criminal Court warrant tied to alleged war crimes in Gaza. The United States does not recognize the ICC.
“It is important that New York City is in compliance with international criminal law,” Mamdani told the Times last week.
A Fox News poll released Thursday found 49 percent of registered voters support Mamdani, compared with 28 percent for independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and 13 percent for Republican Curtis Sliwa.
Whitmire also expressed frustration with the Democratic Party’s approach toward President Donald Trump, warning that constant attacks could backfire.
“Sometimes the louder you get, the less people listen to you,” Whitmire said. “I don’t respond to Trump — that could be counterproductive. Do I have personal views? Sure, and they’re strong, but why do you want to challenge him?”
The Houston mayor further criticized other Democratic mayors, including Chicago’s Brandon Johnson and Los Angeles’ Karen Bass, for escalating rhetoric toward the Trump administration.
Johnson told Fox 32 Chicago this week that the Trump administration had “declared war on our city and cities across America,” while defending his budget proposal and executive orders creating ICE-free zones in Chicago.