House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday said his counterpart, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) would regret endorsing New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D).
Mamdani campaigned as a democratic socialist, railing against establishment policies and pushing his economic agenda that touts plans for citywide rent freezes, freezing childcare and free transportation.
“I think it portends very dark times ahead for that city and for their party. And I’ll just tell you, as it relates to our midterm elections next year, the House Democrats own the consequences of that election because remember, Hakeem Jeffries came out and endorsed Mamdani in the end,” Johnson said during a Wednesday interview with Real Clear Politics.
“And so they’re all entwined together and I think they’re going to rue that,” he added.
On Tuesday, Johnson described Mamdani’s objectives while in office as “extremist” and said the policies he’s hoping to materialize are “dangerous,” echoing similar comments made by President Trump.
“House Democrats endorsed Mamdani’s dangerous policies – including defunding the police, seizing private property, and massive tax increases. Now, every House Democrat incumbent and candidate will co-own Mamdani’s disastrous record in the 2026 midterms,” the House Speaker wrote in a statement on X.
“Meanwhile, Republicans are fighting alongside President Trump to lower costs, make streets safer, secure our border, and deliver peace through strength. With exactly one year to go until the 2026 elections, the contrast between our parties has never been more clear,” he added.
However, despite doubt from both Democrats and Republicans, Mamdani has held firm to his agenda and diverse voter base that elected him to as mayor.
“Thank you for the opportunity to prove myself worthy of your trust. I will wake each morning with a singular purpose to make this city better for you than it was the day before,” Mamdani said in his Tuesday victory speech.
“There are many who thought this day would never come, who feared that we would be condemned only to a future of less with every election, consigning us simply to more of the same. And there are others who see politics today as too cruel for the flame of hope to still burn,” he added.
The mayor-elect continued, “New York, we have answered those fears. Tonight, we have spoken in a clear voice. Hope is alive.”
