New York City Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani is embracing his identity as a Democratic Socialist, arguing the movement represents a return to the Democratic Party's New Deal roots even as he insists Wall Street and corporate leaders have nothing to fear from his administration.In a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times, Mamdani rejected the notion that his political label is a liability, instead characterizing Democratic Socialism as the modern embodiment of Franklin D.Roosevelt's vision for the Democratic Party."So much of what makes me proud to be a Democrat is looking at what our party used to stand for.
You think about the Four Freedoms, you think FDR, you think the New Deal," Mamdani said."Those are at the core of what our party's identity is, and yet it feels like to experience it, you have to read about it.
You can't see it around you anymore.And that isn't something that I'm willing to accept, and I know that many feel similarly."New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivers a speech to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States of America at City Hall in New York, NY, U.S., July 3, 2026.
(Anna Connors/Pool via REUTERS)DE BLASIO DEFENDS SOCIALIST 'INSURGENCY' INSIDE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, SAYS TRUMP HAS BECOME 'STATUS QUO'The remarks come as Mamdani has emerged as one of the Democratic Party's most prominent progressive voices following a string of successful endorsements of fellow Democratic Socialist candidates, who won their primary House races.Even as he doubled down on Democratic Socialism, Mamdani insisted his administration welcomed private investment and collaboration with Wall Street, finance and real estate leaders, despite continuing to push for higher taxes on the city's wealthiest residents."I think it's important," Mamdani said of the city's relationship with private business leaders."And what I have in common with leaders of those sectors — even amid disagreements, because I believe that we can raise taxes a little bit more on th...