Republican Calls On Trump AG Pam Bondi to ‘Denaturalize’ and ‘Deport’ Zohran Mamdani Over Rap Lyrics

Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks at his primary election party, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

A Republican congressman has called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to deport New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

In a letter published Thursday afternoon, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) cited lyrics from a rap song Mamdani made in 2021. In the song, Mamdani references the “Holy Land Five” — members of the Muslim charity organization the Holy Land Foundation. The five men were convicted in 2008 for providing material support to Hamas. The families of the convicted, as well as some human rights groups, have questioned the ruling and called for the release of the men.

Ogles argued that Mamdani’s reference to the Holy Land Five could be grounds for his denaturalization, saying:

According to public reports, including a June 21, 2025 New York Post article, Mr. Mamdani expressed open solidarity with individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses prior to becoming a U.S. citizen.’ Specifically, he rapped: “Free the Holy Land Five / My guys.” The Holy Land Foundation was convicted in 2008 for providing material support to Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Publicly praising the Foundation’s convicted leadership as “my guys” raises serious concerns about whether Mr. Mamdani held affiliations or sympathies he failed to disclose during the naturalization process.

While I understand that some may raise First Amendment concerns about taking legal action based on expressive conduct, such as rap lyrics, speech alone does not preclude accountability where it reasonably suggests underlying conduct relevant to eligibility for naturalization. If an individual publicly glorifies a group convicted of financing terrorism, it is entirely appropriate for federal authorities to inquire whether that individual engaged in non-public forms of support—such as organizational affiliation, fundraising, or advocacy—that would have required disclosure on Form N-400 or during a naturalization interview.

Ogles also referred to Mamdani as “little Muhammad” and claimed that he was an “antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York.”

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