Linda Sarsour Signals Accountability for Mamdani’s Future Administration

In a candid Instagram livestream recently obtained by Fox News Digital, Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour made it clear that her support for New York City mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani comes with strings attached. Despite being a long-time political ally and mentor to Mamdani, Sarsour emphasized that she plans to remain outside any future administration to serve as a watchdog. “I just want you all to know I’m not going to work for the Zohran administration,” she stated firmly. “I’m not going to work in City Hall, because, guess what? There gotta be people like me willing to stay outside.” This stance represents the delicate balance Sarsour aims to strike—supporting Mamdani’s candidacy while ensuring his administration adheres to the promises made to supporters and coalition partners.

The relationship between Sarsour and Mamdani spans years, dating back to 2017 when they canvassed together for DSA-endorsed city council candidate Khader El-Yateem. Mamdani later joined the board of the Muslim Democratic Club of New York, which Sarsour co-founded, and she endorsed his successful run for the New York General Assembly. Her political nonprofit, MPower Action, is now one of 110 groups in a broad coalition working to elect New York’s first Muslim mayor. This coalition represents an interesting amalgamation of Democratic Party affiliates, labor unions, and Muslim and South Asian advocacy groups. Despite this religious connection, Sarsour rejected claims that Mamdani’s campaign is centered on religion, stating, “Our candidate is out there and just happens to be a Muslim.” She noted that he has largely refrained from expressing his pro-Palestinian activism during the campaign, focusing instead on broader policy issues.

One of the most controversial policy positions Mamdani has taken involves the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group (SRG), an elite unit that polices terrorism threats, protests, and riots. Mamdani has publicly stated he would disband this unit, which has been deployed to monitor anti-Israel demonstrations since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Despite this radical position, Mamdani has said he would keep Jessica Tisch as police commissioner, though he emphasized she would need to follow his directives. Sarsour expressed skepticism about retaining Tisch but echoed Mamdani’s view on the chain of command: “What’s most important is that in New York City, the police commissioner works for the mayor… So that means if Zohran says to Tisch, ‘You gotta do A-B-C,’ Tisch gotta do what the mayor says.” She warned that if Tisch fails to comply, she would challenge Mamdani to hold his commissioner accountable.

Sarsour tacitly acknowledged the seemingly contradictory nature of Mamdani’s coalition, which brings together Democratic Socialists of America members with controversial religious figures like Siraj Wahhaj, who once served as a character witness for one of the architects of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. “You can’t be a Marxist and a jihadist and an Islamist and a fundamental Muslim, or whatever they call him, all at the same time,” Sarsour remarked. “You gotta pick a side. Either we’re theocrats or we’re leftists. Like these things don’t go together.” This statement hints at the complex ideological balancing act Mamdani’s campaign has managed to maintain, bringing together groups that might otherwise be at odds politically or ideologically under a unified banner.

The livestream revealed Sarsour’s vision for a post-election relationship with Mamdani that positions her network as a powerful external force to which he remains accountable. “When Zohran gets inaugurated in January, and as we move forward with this mayor, we have to be the people outside,” she stated. She envisions a scenario where Mamdani would tell his critics, “Look out that window, those people outside, these constituents, these activists, these organizers that are outside, I’m accountable to them, because they’re the ones that helped me get there.” This statement underscores her belief that Mamdani will owe his election to the grassroots coalition supporting him and should therefore remain responsive to their demands once in office.

Beyond Mamdani’s mayoral race, Sarsour expressed support for other Muslim candidates across the country, including Minneapolis mayoral candidate Amar Fateh and Jersey City mayor Mussa Ali. These candidates have received endorsements from Muslim political nonprofits like Emgage Action and CAIR Action, which are also backing Mamdani. Invoking the Arabic phrase “Inshallah” (God willing), Sarsour expressed hope that these campaigns collectively represent “a new type of politics.” Her comments suggest an emerging political movement centered around Muslim American candidates who can bridge various progressive constituencies while maintaining connections to their religious communities. Whether this coalition can translate electoral success into effective governance remains to be seen, but Sarsour’s comments make it clear that supporters like her will be watching closely and demanding results.