RismadarVoice Reporters
July 3, 2026
New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani used his address commemorating the United States’ 250th anniversary to present a vision of America rooted in inclusion, diversity and opportunity, drawing a clear contrast with President Donald Trump’s approach to immigration and national identity.
Speaking from City Hall on Friday, Mamdani delivered the keynote address while seated behind a desk once used by America’s first president, George Washington.
He was joined by recently naturalised U.S. citizens, many of whom waved American flags as he celebrated the nation’s immigrant heritage.
Without mentioning President Trump by name, the mayor criticised political leaders who, he said, portray immigrants as a threat to the country’s identity.
According to Mamdani, some influential figures seek to convince Americans that the nation is weakened by welcoming people from different backgrounds. He rejected that narrative, arguing instead that America’s strength has always come from its diversity and openness.
He also challenged views that define American identity by race, appearance or accent, saying the country’s history has been shaped by people who overcame prejudice and exclusion to contribute to its growth.
The address further elevates Mamdani’s national political profile following recent Democratic primary victories by several congressional candidates he endorsed.
His remarks came just hours before President Trump was scheduled to deliver a separate address at Mount Rushmore as part of the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
During the ceremony, Mamdani acknowledged the country’s newest citizens, describing them as an essential part of America’s future. He noted that the nation’s founding ideals remain relevant and belong to every citizen, regardless of where they were born.
Reflecting on his own journey, the Uganda-born mayor recalled becoming a naturalised U.S. citizen in 2018, describing the experience as a moment of pride and belonging.
The event also took place days after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, a ruling widely seen as a setback for efforts to restrict automatic citizenship for children born in the United States.
Mamdani warned against using division as a political strategy, arguing that leaders throughout American history have often sought power by encouraging fear and distrust among different groups. He maintained that progress has consistently prevailed over such efforts.
Ending his speech on an optimistic note, the mayor urged Americans to continue striving toward the nation’s founding ideals of liberty, equality and justice.
He said the United States remains a work in progress and called on citizens to help shape a more inclusive future, describing it as both a privilege and a shared responsibility to preserve and strengthen the country’s democratic values for generations to come.
