House Republicans are considering legal and constitutional strategies to prevent New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani from taking office if he wins the election. The Republican push centers on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars individuals who have “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” or provided “aid or comfort to the enemies” of the United States from holding public office. Mamdani’s past statements urging resistance to ICE and his affiliations with left-wing groups have sparked concerns among Republicans, who argue these actions may qualify under the “insurrection clause.” The New York Young Republican Club is leading the charge, calling for further investigation into Mamdani’s eligibility.

This effort to disqualify Mamdani mirrors recent actions in Colorado to prevent former President Donald Trump from appearing on ballots, though the Supreme Court ruled that only Congress could enforce Section 3. Republicans now believe that ruling grants them the authority to challenge Mamdani’s candidacy. Any such action would likely face significant hurdles, including strong opposition in the Democrat-controlled Senate and prolonged legal challenges in court.

Additionally, Republicans are pushing for a Justice Department investigation into Mamdani’s 2018 naturalization, alleging he violated his oath of allegiance due to his refusal to disavow certain anti-American rhetoric and his ties to groups associated with Hamas. Mamdani, who represents Queens in the New York State Assembly, has strongly denied these accusations, labeling them as politically motivated attempts to undermine his candidacy.