Mamdani Says Free Buses Won’t Happen This Year

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani got on the phone with POLITICO for an exclusive, wide-ranging interview where he told his followers to back off the personal attacks on Council Speaker Julie Menin, acknowledged that his plan for fast and free buses isn’t going to happen so fast, and reflected on his relationship with President Donald Trump as the commander-in-chief weathers accusations of threatening genocide.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

City & State said that your Law Department — not Eric Adams’ — cut references to DEI in its long-awaited racial equity plan in an apparent attempt to avoid challenges from the Trump administration. Is that true? Do you stand by that decision?

We inherited a diluted report that had been prevented from being released by the prior administration, and we took the time over the last few months to strengthen that report, to make sure it was a more accurate reflection of the scale of crisis that New Yorkers were facing across the five boroughs, and then to release it as a preliminary report to New Yorkers. What we’ve done now is to open a 30-day public comment period where we will then solicit feedback from New Yorkers, before then publishing a finalized report, which we expect to release sometime in about mid-July. It is a report that even just in its early findings, showcases the stark racial disparities in the city.

Who do you like for president in 2028? Do you think Kamala Harris should run again?

[Laughs] I will be honest with you, I have not thought much about 2028. I’m thinking about 2026 and I’m thinking about how we can deliver for New Yorkers. But I will give you that I did not expect that question.

I’ve seen your supporters attack Council Speaker Julie Menin for being a millionaire during this budget fight. Do you think it’s fair to go after her, personally, for her wealth?

I think that critiques should always return back to the substance of any debate. The debate that we’re having right now is about a substantive disagreement on the speaker’s proposed plan. The critiques that I shared were around that plan. I think that’s exactly where critiques should remain.

People are saying that Trump calling for a “whole civilization” to “die tonight” is him showing support for genocide or threatening genocide. I’m wondering, do you weigh that when you consider how warm and friendly you keep your relationship with him?

I’ve been very clear about my deep opposition to this war in Iran, and an opposition on the basis not just of proceduralism or politics, but also of morals, and any threat to kill an entire civilization is something that all of us should oppose. This is a war that has killed thousands of civilians, and it is a war that is taking place amidst a staggering cost-of-living crisis in the city and across this country, where we are continually told we don’t have enough money to fund that which working class people need. … At the heart of any war is a dehumanization that takes place, and we know that that dehumanization will not be limited to any battlefield. It will extend out into the world that we live in.

In Albany, no one has included the free bus plan in their budget proposals, and it seems like that’s not something that your administration is pushing hard for this year. Have you already accepted that might be something you’ll be pushing in 2027 instead of 2026?

Both legislative houses included language within their one-house budget proposals in support of bringing back a free-bus pilot program. That is something that we are encouraged by, and it continues to be part of budget negotiations. I’m absolutely committed to making buses fast and free, and we’re encouraged by the conversations we’re having with the governor and legislative leaders to take action on that in 2026 as a first step.