Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) has requested that the Justice Department (DOJ) investigate Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, for allegedly misrepresenting information during his U.S. citizenship application.
The request has intensified scrutiny around Mamdani’s background following his unexpected win in the Democratic primary.
Mamdani recently defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a major political upset, positioning himself as a progressive force in a city long dominated by establishment Democrats.
His campaign has embraced far-left, socialist policies, including rent freezes, expanded public housing and police reform—gaining support from progressive activists and younger voters.
In a letter dated Thursday to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Ogles pointed to a June 21 article in the New York Post that highlighted Mamdani’s past expressions of support for individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses prior to his naturalization.
The report also referenced rap lyrics by Mamdani that expressed solidarity with Palestine, statements Ogles described as having national security implications.
“The naturalization process depends on the good-faith disclosure of any affiliation with, or support for, groups that threaten U.S. national security,” Ogles wrote. “If Mr. Mamdani concealed relevant associations, that concealment may constitute a material misrepresentation sufficient to support denaturalization under federal law.”
He added, “The federal government must uphold public trust by ensuring that citizenship is not granted under false pretenses.”
Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, and moved to New York City with his family at the age of seven, according to his official bio.
He now represents New York’s 36th Assembly District, which includes Astoria, Ditmars-Steinway and Astoria Heights.
Elected to the Assembly in 2020, Mamdani has promoted a platform focused on climate change, public education, and ending what he calls “landlord greed” in the city’s housing market.
Ogles, who has represented Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District since 2023, has become known for his strong stances on immigration and national security.
He has publicly opposed sanctuary city policies and has frequently advocated for tougher enforcement measures. In recent months, Ogles has led multiple efforts to investigate state and local officials whom he alleges obstruct federal immigration law.
Federal law permits denaturalization when it is shown that a person obtained citizenship through fraud or by concealing material facts.
Legal experts note that the process is rare and governed by strict standards.
The government must prove “by clear, unequivocal, and convincing evidence” that naturalization was obtained through willful misrepresentation or concealment, as established by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1988 case Kungys v. United States.
This high threshold helps prevent politically motivated or arbitrary revocations of citizenship.
As of now, Mamdani has not publicly responded to Ogles’ request.
His campaign has dismissed previous attacks as partisan efforts to discredit a candidate pushing for sweeping systemic reforms.
Still, the allegations are likely to remain a flashpoint in the lead-up to the general election.
With the race heating up, the DOJ’s potential response to Ogles’ request could carry major implications for Mamdani’s candidacy and for how national security concerns intersect with immigration and political eligibility.
Disgusting betrayal by the ig’nate NYC voters.
9/11 should have been a nuke! Do LostAngeles and ChiCongo also.