Trump Pauses National Guard Deployment Plan for NYC After Mamdani Meeting
President Donald J. Trump signaled Saturday that he is temporarily holding off on deploying the National Guard to New York City, saying several other American cities currently face more urgent security needs. The president’s remarks came just one day after hosting Zohran Mamdani — the self-proclaimed democratic socialist set to become New York City’s next mayor — for a surprisingly cordial meeting at the White House.
For months, Trump has made clear he is prepared to send in federal resources to restore law and order in cities plagued by violent crime and declining public safety. New York was on that list. In August, he said he was ready to “help” stabilize the city once federal operations in Chicago concluded, Mediaite reported.
Before departing for Joint Base Andrews on Saturday, MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner pressed the president on whether the Guard would still be sent to New York.
“If they need it. Right now, other places need it more, but if they need it,” Trump replied. “We had a very good meeting yesterday. We talked about that, but if they need it, I would do it.”
The exchange echoed Trump’s comments from the day prior, when he told Mamdani in the Oval Office that he would feel “very comfortable” living in New York City again — a striking statement given his longstanding criticism of the city’s leadership and its deterioration under progressive rule.
The tone of the White House meeting surprised many political observers. Trump had spent years ridiculing Mamdani’s far-left ideology, at one point referring to him as “my little communist” and mocking his socialist proposals as unworkable. Mamdani, for his part, had labeled Trump a “fascist.” But on Friday, both men appeared unusually at ease.
Trump even laughed off the past attack, later calling it a “great honor” to host the incoming mayor.
Meanwhile, the administration continues directing federal attention to areas experiencing record lawlessness. Charlotte, N.C., became the latest flashpoint this week when ICE, Border Patrol, and National Guard units were deployed in a renewed crackdown on illegal immigration and violent crime.
Despite previously describing Mamdani as a “100% Communist Lunatic” and a “total nut job,” Trump told reporters he was impressed by the mayor-elect, according to the Associated Press.
“I think he is going to surprise some conservative people, actually,” Trump said as Mamdani stood beside him.
The meeting carried political upside for both leaders. For Mamdani, the White House invitation elevated him beyond New York’s political ecosystem. For Trump, the event provided a platform to highlight his administration’s push to lower the cost of living — a central issue as Americans continue battling inflation.
The two men have long built their political profiles by criticizing one another, and it remains unclear how their respective bases will respond to the sudden shift in tone.
“We’re going to be helping him, to make everybody’s dream come true, having a strong and very safe New York,” Trump said.
Mamdani echoed the sentiment. “What I really appreciate about the president is that the meeting that we had focused not on places of disagreement, which there are many, and also focused on the shared purpose that we have in serving New Yorkers,” he said.
Trump went even further, suggesting common ground on economic issues. “Some of his ideas are really the same ideas that I have,” the president said of Mamdani’s inflation stance.
At times, Trump even shielded Mamdani from pointed press questions. When reporters asked whether the mayor-elect stood by his past remark calling Trump a “fascist,” the president jumped in.
“That’s OK. You can just say yes. OK?” Trump said. “It’s easier. It’s easier than explaining it. I don’t mind.”
And when a journalist challenged Mamdani over his decision to fly to Washington rather than use lower-carbon transportation, Trump again offered cover: “I’ll stick up for you.”
Mamdani said he requested the White House meeting to address affordability concerns facing New Yorkers. Though Trump has previously blasted him as a “communist” and threatened to restrict federal funding, he softened that stance considerably during Friday’s discussions.