Mamdani Says He’ll Try to Discourage Trump From Sanctuary-Related Funding Cuts

NEW YORK CITY—New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Jan. 14 that he has been communicating with President Donald Trump and will try to stave off federal funding cuts related to the city’s sanctuary policies.

In the “handful of texts and calls we’ve exchanged, it’s always about making the case for the city,” Mamdani said during an event in Brooklyn. “I want to be very clear that our values and our laws are not bargaining chips.”

His comments followed Trump’s announcement that he would withdraw funding for sanctuary jurisdictions such as New York City starting on Feb. 1.

The city’s policies prohibit federal immigration officers from entering certain buildings without a warrant signed by a judge. Mamdani defended the policies Jan. 14 and said he would work to discourage Trump from following through on the defunding pledge he made earlier this week.

The mayor said he and the president have exchanged text messages after Mamdani’s visit to the Oval Office in November 2025.

Any cut in federal funding would have a significant impact on the city’s ability to pay for the current budget, Mamdani said.

“I will continue to make the case for New York City,” the mayor said.

Mamdani was speaking at Cypress Hill Child Care to promote pre-K enrollment.

Mamdani said his team will be raising awareness to parents in New York to let them know that enrollment is open.

In response to a question by a reporter at the event about fear of immigration enforcement chilling New Yorkers’ interest in enrolling, Mamdani said his team will be reaching out to New Yorkers to make sure they know their rights.

“Pre-K programs are only worthwhile if New Yorkers are actually informed of the resources available to them,” said Mamdani. The programs, mostly run by the New York Department of Education, are available throughout the city for children ages 3 and up.

Mamdani said the city is working to add more capacity and that New York state has agreed to supply $100 million to fix city-funded child care for 3-year-olds, called 3K.

Mamdani was joined by Chancellor of New York City Public Schools Kamar Samuels.

Parents are “too often forced to make the impossible choice between career opportunities and care for their little ones,” said Samuels, who joined Mamdani to encourage enrollment. He said that providing pre-K is also a way to invest in parents who are freed up to pursue their careers.

Children born in 2022 and 2023 are eligible to enroll in pre-K for Fall 2026. Enrollment is open Jan. 14 to Feb. 27. Parents can enroll or get more information by going to myschools.nyc or calling 718-935-2009.