Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R) drew backlash Wednesday after condemning incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for choosing the Quran during his swearing-in, calling the moment a threat from within.
“The enemy is inside the gates,” Tuberville wrote in a post on social platform X, alongside a screenshot of a New York Times report detailing Mamdani’s decision.
Mamdani, set to become New York City’s first Muslim mayor, is expected to use at least three different Qurans across his public and private swearing-in ceremonies, according to the report. While many public officials opt to use religious texts during oath ceremonies, no law requires them to use any specific book—or any book at all.
The mayor-elect has also faced criticism from both major parties over his policy agenda, which includes proposals for a citywide rent freeze, free child care, and free public transportation.
“It’s not going to work. It has never worked anywhere. It’s been tried,” said Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) during a Wednesday appearance on Fox Business. He argued that such policies resemble systems people around the world have fled, adding that many come to the United States seeking opportunity through capitalism.
International criticism followed as well. Dutch politician Geert Wilders posted separately, “Invalid oath. No Quran. USA is not Islamic. Yet. Wake up America.”
Despite the criticism—particularly from the political right—Mamdani has remained focused on his administration’s goals.
“Thank you to every New Yorker who believed in this fight for working people,” Mamdani wrote on X just hours before his swearing-in.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a longtime supporter of Mamdani, is set to administer the oath after months of backing his campaign.
“Zohran and his supporters showed the world that when working people stand together, we can defeat the Democratic and Republican establishments, Trump and the Oligarchs,” Sanders wrote on X.
“Best of luck to the new mayor.”
