GOP senator calls Mamdani’s Netanyahu arrest vow a ‘grave threat’ as he introduces defund bill
In a significant political maneuver, Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina is set to introduce the “American Allies Protection Act,” a piece of legislation aimed at countering New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s controversial pledge to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This move comes in light of Mamdani’s assertion that New York City should uphold the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) warrant against Netanyahu, who is accused of war crimes related to attacks on civilians. The ICC issued this warrant last year, sparking heated debates among lawmakers both in the U.S. and internationally. Budd’s proposed legislation would cut off federal funding from the Department of Justice to any city that cooperates with the ICC in arresting officials from NATO countries, emphasizing that the U.S. is not obligated to adhere to what he describes as a “morally bankrupt” court.
Mamdani, who reiterated his commitment to international law during a recent interview, stated that New York City should be a “city of international law,” indicating that the city would uphold ICC warrants, whether they pertain to Netanyahu or other international figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin. Budd criticized Mamdani’s stance as not only legally unfounded but also politically motivated, suggesting that it serves to appease a radical base opposed to Israel. He warned that Mamdani’s actions could jeopardize America’s relationships with key allies and undermine national security. The legislation includes a provision allowing the president to override the funding penalties if cooperation with the ICC is deemed necessary for national security reasons. Interestingly, during a recent meeting between Mamdani and former President Donald Trump, the topic of Netanyahu’s potential arrest was not discussed, highlighting the complexities surrounding this politically charged issue.
As the situation unfolds, it raises critical questions about the intersection of local governance, international law, and U.S. foreign policy. Mamdani’s commitment to the ICC’s authority has ignited a fierce debate about the role of cities in the global legal landscape and the implications of such actions for diplomatic relations. With Budd’s legislation poised to challenge Mamdani’s agenda, the discourse surrounding this issue is likely to intensify, reflecting broader tensions over Israel’s actions and the accountability of world leaders under international law.
FIRST ON FOX:
A Senate Republican wants to take a legislative shot at New York Mayor-elect
Zohran Mamdani
and his desire to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sen.
Ted Budd
, R-N.C., is introducing legislation that would halt some funding to cities that follow through on any International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant to arrest or detain officials from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries.
The measure, called the ”
American Allies Protection Act
,” is in direct response to Mamdani doubling down on his vow to arrest Netanyahu. Last year, the ICC issued a warrant for the Israeli prime minister’s arrest that has been heavily scrutinized by lawmakers in the U.S. and abroad.
ADL CHIEF WARNS NYC MAYOR-ELECT ZOHRAN MAMDANI POSES A ‘CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER’ TO JEWISH COMMUNITY
Mamdani reiterated his desire to arrest Netanyahu last week before meeting with President
Donald Trump
. He told local news station
ABC7
that New York City was a “city of international law” that would uphold the court’s arrest warrants, which accused the Israeli prime minister of intentionally attacking civilians and using starvation as a method of warfare.
“I’ve said time and again that I believe this is a city of international law, and being a city of international law means looking to uphold international law,” he said. “And that means upholding the warrants from the International Criminal Court, whether they’re for Benjamin Netanyahu or Vladimir Putin.”
TRUMP REVEALS ‘ONE THING IN COMMON’ HE HAS WITH MAMDANI AFTER OVAL OFFICE LOVE FEST
Budd charged in a statement to Fox News Digital that the U.S. is “not bound by the morally bankrupt” court, and accused Mamdani’s position and comments of not being based in law but rather a means to “virtue-signal to his radical, anti-Israel base.”
“Mayor-elect Mamdani’s pledge to facilitate the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu is not just ridiculous; it represents a grave threat that could seriously damage America’s relationship with our closest allies and partners,” Budd said.
LEAVITT DOESN’T MINCE WORDS AHEAD OF MAMDANI-TRUMP MEETING: ‘COMMUNIST COMING TO THE WHITE HOUSE’
His legislation would halt Department of Justice (DOJ) grants from flowing to any city that cooperates with the court and arrests a NATO or U.S. major non-NATO ally.Â
There is an override mechanism built in that would allow the president to end the penalty only if cooperation with the court is deemed necessary for national security.
Meanwhile, the issue of Netanyahu apparently did not come up during
Trump and Mamdani’s confab
. When asked if there was discussion of stopping Mamdani from arresting Netanyahu, Trump said the pair, “Didn’t discuss” the matter.
