NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — It’s been just over two weeks since Zohran Mamdani took the oath of office and became New York City’s 112th mayor.
He’s grabbed national attention for his policy proposals and his outspoken stance on contentious issues like immigration.
In a sit-down interview with Eyewitness News anchor Bill Ritter, the mayor drew a line in the sand, maintaining that New York will remain a sanctuary city.
Bill Ritter sits down with NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, joining him as a guest for Up Close
“Look our values, and our laws are not bargaining chips. We are proud of them. We are New Yorkers who believe that everyone in the city should be safe,” Mamdani said. “And what these sanctuary city policies do is they say that ICE agents can’t enter into a school or city property without a judicial warrant signed by a judge. What they do is they inform New Yorkers of their own rights, and these used to be defended by Republicans and Democrats alike for decades, because they created safety. I’m going to continue to defend them.”
The mayor discussed a range of topics, including the sign outside his blue room at City Hall representing the number of days so far in the new administration — 16 so far. His team calls it “Days of New Era.”
Mamdani also talked about personal topics, like his new home at Gracie Mansion, and whether his parents have offered him advice about the home and being mayor. He said, “yes they have.”
The mayor, on Thursday, also took his first shot to ward off cat allergies because his wife wants a cat for their new home.
Listening to his wife… probably a smart idea.
You can see Bill Ritter’s entire interview with Mayor Mamdani this Sunday morning on Up Close on Channel 7, and wherever you stream on abc7NY.
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