House Leader Jeffries Endorses Socialist Mamdani for NYC Mayor Amid GOP Backlash

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has officially endorsed Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and self-described communist, as the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, despite previously withholding support due to principled disagreements. Jeffries emphasized the need for party unity against an "existential" threat from President Trump and praised Mamdani's focus on addressing the city's affordability crisis, though his endorsement was described as lukewarm by critics. Governor Kathy Hochul and progressive senators like Bernie Sanders have also endorsed Mamdani, who leads in polls against former Governor Andrew Cuomo. The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has launched an ad campaign using communist symbolism to criticize Democrats following Jeffries' endorsement, with President Trump denouncing Mamdani as a "100% communist lunatic" and threatening arrest if Mamdani limits cooperation with federal agencies like ICE. Internal divisions within the Democratic Party are apparent, with many House Democrats hesitant to support Jeffries' leadership amid concerns over the party's leftward shift. Republicans contrast their platform of lowering costs and enhancing safety with what they describe as Mamdani's extreme socialist agenda, framing it as the future direction of the Democratic Party.