White House Pushes Back After Mamdani Blames Trump For Bomb Threats

Last Updated:November 05, 2025, 01:32 IST

The White House condemned Zohran Mamdani for blaming Donald Trump for New Jersey bomb threats.

The White House called Mamdani’s remarks “irresponsible” after he appeared to blame President Trump for bomb threats at polling sites in New Jersey. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

The White House on Tuesday condemned comments made by New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who appeared to blame US President Donald Trump for a series of bomb threats and voter intimidation incidents reported at polling locations in New Jersey.

“I saw those comments. I think they are completely irresponsible and based on zero evidence," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing, responding to Mamdani’s remarks.

Authorities in New Jersey moved swiftly to secure polling stations after receiving a wave of unfounded bomb threats early on Election Day. Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who also serves as the state’s top election official, said the threats were emailed to seven counties, including Passaic, a key swing county and the only one outside California where the Department of Justice had deployed election monitors at the request of local Republican officials.

“Law enforcement has determined that there are no credible threats at this time," Way said in a statement. “We are doing everything in our power to protect voters and poll workers, and we are coordinating closely with state, local and federal partners to ensure a smooth and safe election."

When asked about the threats, Mamdani, the Democratic socialist widely projected to win New York’s mayoral race, said they reflected “attacks on American democracy."

“It’s incredibly concerning, and I think it is an illustration of the attacks we’re seeing on our democracy," Mamdani said. “These threats are part of the general approach the Trump administration has taken — trying to intimidate voters with baseless allegations of fraud as a means of suppressing the voice of Americans across this country.

According to New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, polling places in Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Passaic counties received emailed threats. Some voting locations were temporarily evacuated but later reopened, while voters at others were redirected to nearby polling sites.

“Law enforcement officers have responded at each affected polling place and have worked swiftly to secure these locations and ensure the safety of every voter," Platkin said.

The FBI’s Newark office confirmed it was assisting state and local agencies. “This Department of Justice is committed to free, fair and safe elections," US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a post related to the investigation.

Passaic County received three threats, officials said, and briefly redirected voters before resuming normal polling. “One of the affected locations, a school building, was cleared and reopened to voters," county spokesperson Lindsay Reed said in an email.

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