Staunchly Pro-Israel Democrat Defends Zohran Mamdani Over Deportation Attack: It’s ‘Anti-Muslim Bigotry’
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) joined MSNBC host Jen Psaki, the former Biden White House press secretary, this week to discuss a range of issues from the “Big Beautiful Bill” to the New York City mayoral race. The interview ended with Torres, who is one of the most pro-Israel voices in the Democratic Party, announcing that he will introduce a resolution to condemn a Republican Congressman for calling to deport Zohran Mamdani – the Democratic Party candidate for NYC mayor.
“Want to change gears for a moment because you’re also, you’re from New York, you represent the Bronx,” Psaki said, as Torres quipped, “Quite a bit happening in New York.”
“There’s quite there’s a few things happening, you endorsed Mamdani’s opponent but what’s been so interesting for me to watch and I think for so many – and you’ve major policy differences with him, we can certainly talk about – but you said you committed to work with him if he should win and you have also been relentless I would say in defending and pushing back against these Islamophobic attacks against him. Talk to me about what that means to you, why you’ve been doing that, and kind of how you see the state of this race moving forward,” Psaki asked.
“First of all, unlike Republicans, Democrats accept the results of the election, right?” Torres replied.
“Most, not all, but yes,” agreed Psaki.
“The people of the Democratic primary have spoken, and I accept the results, right? I have profound differences of opinion with Assemblymember Mamdani, but we had a mutually respectful conversation last weekend, and we’re committed to building a relationship and continuing the dialogue,” continued Torres, noting that he and Mamdani are on opposite ends when it comes to Israel policy.
“But I have a deeply felt obligation to speak out against hate, whether it’s anti-Jewish bigotry or anti-Muslim bigotry. And as an example, I’m in the process of drafting a resolution that would condemn Andy Ogles for not only engaging in racist rhetoric about leader Jeffries, but also in calling upon the attorney general to deport a Muslim-American Democratic nominee simply because he’s Muslim-American,” Torres continued, adding:
Like that kind of bigotry has no place in the United States of America. America is and should be a multiracial, multiethnic, multireligious democracy whose creed is ‘E Pluribus Unum.’ That’s what we should be celebrating on Independence Day.
“So we’ll see that Andy Ogles resolution when you get back?” Psaki asked.
“Breaking news here,” Torres replied.
“All right. Well, there we go. Watch out, Andy Ogles, it’s coming. Thank you so much for being here with me and really helping us understand what’s in this vile bill, as I’m just going to shorthand it,” Psaki concluded.
Watch the clip above via MSNBC.
