Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., publicly criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Thursday for declining to endorse New York City’s Democratic mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani.
Mamdani’s nomination has sparked debate within the Democratic Party, with members divided over his progressive policies and self-described socialist platform.
During an interview on CNN, host Kasie Hunt asked Omar, “Now, Hakeem Jeffries, your leader, has somewhat reluctantly, but has endorsed Zohran Mamdani. Chuck Schumer still has not. Why do you think Chuck Schumer has not endorsed Zohran Mamdani?”
“I really don’t know. It makes no sense,” Omar replied. “We as Democrats have always believed that, in an election, we support our party’s nominee. Schumer has pressured other Democrats to do just that, and he should be following his own advice.”
When asked whether religion might be influencing Schumer’s hesitation, Omar responded, “The tsunami of anti-Muslim attacks that we are seeing is deeply concerning. I would hope that the Democratic leader in the Senate would recognize that and would offer support not just to Mamdani, but to the million Muslims who live in New York City and the millions who live in New York and in America.”
Addressing accusations that Mamdani was slow to condemn the slogan “Globalize the intifada,” which some critics viewed as antisemitic, Omar dismissed the charge as exaggerated. “Everything he does or says seems to be called antisemitic,” she said. “What I do know is that he has support from a broad coalition of New Yorkers — a huge coalition of Jewish voters, Muslims of every sect, and young people. They’re backing him not just because he’s exciting, but because he listens and offers real solutions to their problems. They see hope in the progress he could bring.”
Hunt later noted that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed and campaigned for Mamdani, asking Omar if she would support Ocasio-Cortez challenging Schumer in a primary. Omar replied, “I would like Alex to do whatever it is that Alex wants, and I’ll be there to support her.”
