1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

I am writing to express my profound alarm regarding President Donald Trump's recent statement threatening to withhold federal funding from New York City if Zohran Mamdani wins the mayoral election. This is not merely concerning; it is a grave assault on our democratic principles that demands immediate action. As our current president, Trump's words carry immense weight and influence. His declaration on Truth Social that he would likely restrict federal contributions to the minimum if Mamdani becomes mayor is a clear attempt to manipulate the electoral process through financial coercion. This behavior from a sitting president is unprecedented and deeply troubling. The implications of this threat are far-reaching. New York City, home to 8.5 million residents, relies heavily on federal funding for essential services, infrastructure, and various programs. By threatening to withhold these funds, President Trump is effectively holding the welfare of millions of Americans hostage to influence an election outcome. Mamdani, currently leading in the polls at 45.8%, represents a historic candidacy as potentially the first Muslim, first African-born, and first mayor of South Asian descent in New York City. His platform, which includes progressive policies like free public transportation, rent freezes, and universal childcare, has clearly resonated with voters, as evidenced by the record-breaking early voting turnout of 735,317 votes. I urge you to take immediate and decisive action. First, call for a thorough investigation by the Department of Justice into this clear case of voter intimidation and abuse of presidential power. If laws have been broken, prosecution must follow swiftly. Second, work with your colleagues in Congress to safeguard New York City's federal funding. Introduce or support legislation that prevents the executive branch from arbitrarily withholding funds based on election outcomes. Third, use your platform to publicly condemn this behavior. Make it clear that such threats have no place in our democracy, regardless of who issues them. The integrity of our electoral process is at stake. We cannot allow the president of the United States to use the power of his office to intimidate voters and influence local elections. This is a critical moment for our democracy, and your leadership is crucial in addressing this unprecedented threat. I implore you to act now to protect the rights of New York City voters and the principles of our democratic system.