Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles has formally called on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate whether Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, should be stripped of his American citizenship over alleged undisclosed affiliations with individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses.
In a letter dated June 26 addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Ogles urged the DOJ to examine whether Mamdani, a 33-year-old Ugandan-born lawmaker and rising progressive star, may have “procured US citizenship through willful misrepresentation or concealment” under 8 U.S.C. §1451(a)—a federal statute governing denaturalisation.
“Zohran ‘little muhammad’ Mamdani is an anti-Semitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York,” Ogles wrote in a separate post on X, formerly Twitter.
“He needs to be DEPORTED. Which is why I am calling for him to be subject to denaturalization proceedings.”
The congressman cited Mamdani’s past musical lyrics—particularly a reference to the “Holy Land Five,” a group convicted in 2008 for funneling funds to Hamas—as a potential red flag.
In a 2012 rap verse, Mamdani reportedly said, “Free the Holy Land Five / My guys.” Ogles argues that such statements could reflect undisclosed ideological sympathies or material support that would have required disclosure during the naturalization process.
Legal experts note, however, that denaturalisation is a rare and serious step—typically pursued only when there is compelling evidence that citizenship was obtained fraudulently or unlawfully.
The process involves a civil lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice and requires proof that the individual concealed material facts or willfully misrepresented information during their application.
Under §1451(a), if the court finds that naturalisation was “illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation,” citizenship may be revoked.
But legal scholars emphasise that protected speech—such as lyrics or political slogans—is not in itself grounds for such action unless accompanied by evidence of concealed, disqualifying conduct.
In his letter, Ogles argued that Mamdani’s failure to renounce slogans like “globalise the intifada”—a chant used in pro-Palestinian demonstrations—combined with past expressions of admiration for convicted individuals, “warrants formal scrutiny.”
He said the DOJ should determine whether Mamdani supported or affiliated with any groups that would have required disclosure on Form N-400, the naturalization application.
Congressman Andy Ogles has faced criticism in the past over both financial and rhetorical controversies.
In 2023, he was embroiled in a campaign finance scandal after reports revealed discrepancies in his fundraising disclosures, including dubious claims about a GoFundMe account set up for a child burial that allegedly mishandled donations.
It led to an FBI raid on his home and the charges were eventually dropped when he allied with Donald Trump.
Additionally, Ogles drew widespread condemnation later that year when he appeared to endorse violence against Palestinian children, stating during a rally that "every child in Gaza being raised to hate America and Israel should be dealt with accordingly"—a remark many interpreted as a call for lethal action.
Human rights groups and political opponents denounced the statement as inflammatory and inhumane, accusing the congressman of inciting war crimes.
The push for an investigation comes days after Mamdani clinched a surprising victory in the Democratic mayoral primary, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a race widely seen as a bellwether for the left’s growing political clout in urban America.
Mamdani, who represents Queens in the New York State Assembly, was born in Kampala, Uganda, and moved to the US as a child.
His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a noted political theorist, and his mother, Mira Nair, is an award-winning filmmaker.
Mamdani would be the first Muslim and first Ugandan-born mayor of New York if elected.
His candidacy has sparked fierce backlash from conservative figures. Former President Donald Trump attacked Mamdani as a “100% Communist Lunatic” in a Truth Social post, deriding his appearance and calling his victory “a big moment in the History of our Country.”
Mamdani’s campaign has drawn strong support from progressives like Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and his platform includes rent freezes, free public transit, and ambitious housing reform.
His message has resonated with younger and immigrant voters, contributing to his decisive 43.5% primary win.
The DOJ has not commented on Ogles’ request, and Mamdani’s campaign has not responded to inquiries about the denaturalization call.
However, civil liberties advocates warn that the move could set a dangerous precedent.
“Invoking denaturalization over protected speech is chilling,” said Hassan Shibly, a civil rights attorney.
“If citizenship can be revoked over song lyrics or political chants, then no naturalized American is truly secure.”
Denaturalisation cases are exceedingly rare, with only a few dozen pursued annually, typically involving war crimes, espionage, or fraud.
The burden of proof is high, and courts have historically been reluctant to strip citizenship absent clear, documented evidence.
Whether Ogles’ demand gains traction within the DOJ remains to be seen, but the episode underscores the intensifying partisan battles shaping the 2025 election season—and the personal attacks increasingly defining them.