Mamdani Goes After Trump’s Trusted Ally

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Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is backing New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s call for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be arrested if he enters U.S. jurisdiction, arguing that the United States should enforce the International Criminal Court’s warrant against the Israeli leader.

Speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill, Khanna said the United States should arrest Netanyahu, as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin, in accordance with international law. He argued that the U.S. should cooperate with the International Criminal Court and said federal authorities should detain anyone facing an ICC arrest warrant who enters the country.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in 2024, accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Israel has rejected the allegations, and the United States does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction over its citizens or close allies.

Khanna’s comments come weeks after he said he was briefly detained by Israeli settlers and members of the Israeli military while visiting a Palestinian village in the West Bank. The California Democrat later said the experience would influence his political outlook as speculation continues about a possible 2028 presidential campaign.

Netanyahu is expected to travel to Washington next week for meetings with President Donald Trump, one of his closest international allies, marking their first face-to-face talks since the United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran earlier this year. Netanyahu is also expected to attend the funeral of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime supporter of Israel.

Mamdani has also called for Netanyahu’s arrest, saying he explored whether New York City authorities could detain the Israeli leader during a future visit for the United Nations General Assembly. He later acknowledged that city officials do not have the legal authority to make such an arrest but said federal authorities do possess that power.

President Trump has firmly rejected the idea. Earlier this week, he declared that Netanyahu “will not be arrested” while in the United States, describing the Israeli prime minister as a key ally in confronting Iran and defending Israel’s security.

Asked whether he expected Trump to authorize such an arrest, Khanna said he did not. He accused the president of disregarding international law and argued that the United States should hold world leaders accountable regardless of their alliances.

Khanna said enforcing the ICC warrant is about accountability, arguing that individuals accused of serious international crimes should not be allowed to enter the United States without facing legal consequences.