Mamdani calls Trump on Venezuela to oppose ‘pursuit of regime change’

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he called President Donald Trump to voice his opposition to the U.S military’s strike on Caracas and subsequent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro – a move the new mayor described earlier as "an act of war and a violation of federal and international law." 

“I called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act,” Mamdani said at an unrelated press conference Saturday. “And to make clear it was an opposition based on being opposed to a pursuit of regime change, to the violation of federal, international law and a desire to see that be consistent each and every day.” 

The call, which a City Hall spokesperson said lasted a few minutes, took place early in the afternoon – a few hours after Trump held his first news conference in wake of the early Saturday strike. Neither Mamdani nor a spokesperson for the mayor provided insight into how Trump responded. 

Mamdani’s condemnation of the Republican president on Saturday marked a sharp departure from his public statements in the past few days. Prior to news of the military operation breaking, Mamdani had only mentioned Trump once since taking office on Thursday. And that had been a glancing comment during his inaugural address about how some Trump supporters voted for him – words intended to be unifying, not condemning. 

While the president frequently attacked Mamdani on the campaign trail, the two men struck a far more civil tone during a meeting in the Oval Office in late November. At times, Trump has even been complimentary of the young democratic socialist in wake of that meeting. Mamdani, albeit more tentatively, has highlighted shared areas of agreement.

Asked if he was worried that his opposition would change his relationship with Trump, Mamdani said that he and the president have always been “honest and direct” with each other about their disagreements. This, as was the case in their Oval Office meeting and their recent phone call, is something Mamdani said he’ll continue to do.

The military operation, directed by Trump without Congressional approval, took place after months of warnings, threats and accusations by Trump against Maduro. The authoritarian leader and his wife, who’d also been captured by U.S. forces, are expected to stand trial on drug and weapons charges in federal court in Manhattan, overseen by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District Jay Clayton. 

“We are going to make sure that for New Yorkers we limit any of the impact on their day to day life that will come as a consequence of the actions of the federal government,” Mamdani said, referencing both the thousands of Venezuelans who call the city home and beyond.  

Gov. Kathy Hochul also condemned Trump’s actions Saturday, describing his decision to act without congressional approval as “a flagrant abuse of power.” “While there are no credible threats to New York at this time, State Police are coordinating with our partners in law enforcement to monitor the situation and keep New Yorkers safe,” Hochul said in a statement.