The political landscape in New York City has been upended following Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic mayoral primary, with prominent Republicans now urging President Donald Trump to invoke the rarely used Communist Control Act of 1954 in an effort to block Mamdani’s path to City Hall, an extraordinary move that underscores the heightened polarization and intensity surrounding this year’s mayoral race.
What is the Communist Control Act of 1954?
The Communist Control Act of 1954 is a U.S. federal law enacted during the height of the Cold War, signed by President Dwight Eisenhower on August 24, 1954. The act was designed to outlaw the Communist Party USA and criminalize membership in or support for the party or any Communist-action organizations.
It was passed as a response to fears of communist subversion and was intended to protect American democracy from what Congress described as an agency of a hostile foreign power and a conspiracy to overthrow the government.
Although the act was passed unanimously in the Senate and by a wide margin in the House, it has rarely been enforced and is widely regarded as unconstitutional due to its infringement on First Amendment rights. Most of its provisions have been repealed or fallen into disuse.
A Renewed Push Against the Left?
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist and the son of immigrants, has drawn national attention for his progressive platform, which includes proposals such as government-run grocery stores, free public transit, universal childcare, and defunding the police. His victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the primary has alarmed conservative circles, who view his policies as emblematic of a broader leftward shift in American urban politics.
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In response, the New York Young Republican Club and other right-wing groups have taken to social media, publicly calling on Trump and his advisors to use the Communist Control Act to strip Mamdani of his citizenship and deport him.
The call to invoke the Communist Control Act reflects the concerns within the GOP about the rise of left-wing politics in major cities. The Democrats have criticized the move and believe that targeting Mamdani in this manner would set a dangerous precedent, politicising citizenship and weaponising obscure laws to suppress opposition.
The Republicans, meanwhile, insist that such measures are necessary to “defend the Republic” from what they describe as anti-American extremism.
Social media has seen a surge in interest around the Communist Control Act, with Google searches for the law spiking after Mamdani’s primary win.
What Can be Expected Ahead?
While Zohran Mamdani has secured the Democratic nomination for New York City mayor, his path to City Hall is far from assured. He now faces a highly competitive general election against Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent after exiting the Democratic primary amid controversy and legal challenges.
The race has become a focal point for national attention, not only because of Mamdani’s progressive platform and upset victory over establishment figures like Andrew Cuomo, but also due to the unique dynamics created by Adams’ independent candidacy and the possibility of additional third-party contenders.
This crowded and ideologically diverse field reflects the heightened polarization in American politics, with each candidate representing sharply contrasting visions for the city’s future. Mamdani’s campaign, rooted in democratic socialism and energized by young and progressive voters, stands in stark contrast to Sliwa’s law-and-order Republican message and Adams’ centrist, incumbent appeal.
The rhetoric surrounding the race has become increasingly charged, with conservative groups sounding alarms about a potential “socialist takeover” and progressives framing the contest as a battle for the soul of the city.
US President Donald Trump has responded to the victory of socialist Zohran Mamdani in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, labeling Mamdani a “100 percent communist lunatic” and accusing the Democratic Party of having “crossed the line.”
While Trump could theoretically attempt to invoke the Communist Control Act, but whether Trump or his advisors will seriously pursue the use of the Communist Control Act remains uncertain. However, the episode highlights the extraordinary measures some in the GOP are willing to consider to prevent a left-wing candidate from assuming power in America’s largest city.