Mamdani blames Trump for bomb threats and intimidation at the polls

NEW YORK — Mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday said reports of bomb threats at New Jersey polls are because of President Trump.

When asked about bomb threats at multiple polling locations in New Jersey that have prompted closures and poll relocations, Mr. Mamdani said, “It’s incredibly concerning, and I think that it is an illustration of the attacks we’re seeing on our democracy.”

He called the threats “part of the general approach the Trump administration has taken to trying to intimidate voters with baseless allegations of voter fraud as a means of trying to repress the voice of Americans across this country.”

“Sometimes they’re blatant and explicit in the manner of these bomb threats, and we also have to know that here in New York City, I saw a young woman sharing a story of her mother who had voted for our campaign and was then harassed by another man at that poll site for doing so,” he said.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt fired back, telling reporters at Tuesday’s press briefing that Mr. Mamdani’s remarks are “completely irresponsible and they are based on zero evidence.”

She continued, “I think this is just another example of how the Democrat Party, unfortunately, stands for nothing. All they stand against is President Donald Trump, and I think it’s quite sad to see that we have someone at the top of the ticket on an Election Day today saying such things about the president when he obviously had absolutely nothing to do with those threats.”

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said law enforcement responded to the threats at polling places in seven New Jersey counties and secured each location.

The threats were sent by email.

Some of the polling sites have already reopened to the public, while at other locations, voters have been instructed to go to nearby polling sites to cast their ballots.

“Voters should continue to have confidence that they can cast their ballot without fear of intimidation, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure a free, fair, and secure election,” Mr. Platkin said.

“Make no mistake: We will not tolerate any attempts to interfere with our elections, and we will swiftly hold accountable anyone who seeks to interfere with the safety or security of our electoral process.”