Trump Targets Democratic Cities, Threatens To Cut Federal Funds If His Power Is Challenged

All eyes are on New York City today. Voting is underway for the mayoral election in the country's largest and most influential city, and this time the contest is particularly intense. The Democratic Party is contesting for Indian-American Zohran Mamdani, son of renowned filmmaker Mira Nair. His victory is considered almost certain.

If Mamdani wins, he will become New York's youngest, first Indian-American, and first Muslim mayor in the last 100 years. He will make history. But just before this historic election, US President Donald Trump has heated up the political atmosphere with a threatening statement. Trump, who had previously called Mamdani a "crazy communist," has now issued a clear warning. He has threatened to reduce federal funding to New York if Mamdani wins. New York is already considered a Democratic stronghold, and this is something Trump cannot stomach.

Trump Tightens Grip On Democrats

In fact, not only New York, but in recent months, Trump has also intensified efforts to increase federal control over Democratic-run cities like Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Memphis, Portland, and Chicago—sometimes by deploying the National Guard, others by withholding funding or threatening a state of emergency. All of these cities have one thing in common: they are strongholds of the Democratic Party.

Military presence in the name of “rule of law”

Following protests in Los Angeles in June 2025, Trump ordered approximately 700 Marines and 2,000 National Guard troops onto the streets. According to The Washington Post, this move was part of Trump's zero-tolerance policy, under which he justifies federal intervention by characterizing crime and protests as national security issues. California's governor and local leaders criticized this as an intrusion into state rights, but the Trump administration dismissed it as a failure of local governance.

A state of emergency has been declared in Washington, D.C

On August 11, 2025, Trump declared a public safety emergency in the capital, Washington, D.C. According to the Financial Times, several federal agencies, along with the National Guard, were activated. In his statement, Trump declared that lawlessness in the US capital would not be tolerated. He stated that he must protect the nation's center. However, Democratic leaders criticized this as an attempt to spread political fear and challenged it in the courts.

Federal control moves into the Midwest as well

In September 2025, Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard in Memphis, Tennessee, due to rising crime rates. According to AP News, he described this as part of the Washington model, where similar measures were taken to tighten control previously implemented in D.C. In Chicago, on August 25, he announced that federal forces could be sent there if needed. Reuters reports that no deployment has yet taken place in Chicago, but Trump stated that if the mayor and governor can't handle it, he will take over.

Portland and San Francisco: The dispute reaches the courts

On September 27, 2025, Trump took another step and announced the deployment of troops in Portland, Oregon. According to TIME magazine, Trump stated that full force would be used to deal with Antifa and other extremist groups. However, this move was challenged in federal court by the local administration and civic groups, who questioned its constitutional limitations. Trump took a similar stance in San Francisco on October 20, announcing that he would send the National Guard there as well. According to The Guardian, this decision was later postponed after widespread protests. Trump, however, claimed that the president has the right to take action without restraint.