Mayor Zohran Mamdani responded positively after former President Donald Trump highlighted New York City’s emergency snow-shoveling program during his recent State of the Union address. On Tuesday, the program saw an impressive 1,400 New Yorkers sign up, a surge that Mamdani attributed in part to the attention drawn by Trump and other Republicans.
“I can tell you, I didn’t expect this much attention nationwide on our emergency snow shoveler program,” Mamdani stated the following day. He emphasized that the program, which has been part of the city’s response to storms for years, now has doubled its previous enrollment figures due to increased public awareness.
Trump’s remarks included a mention of the program’s requirement for temporary snow shovelers to provide two forms of ID, drawing a parallel to his broader advocacy for voter identification laws. In response, Mamdani clarified that the ID requirement for the snow shoveling program is mandated by federal law.
Despite criticism from Trump, who characterized Mamdani as “a nice guy” with “bad policy,” the mayor remained focused on the positive outcome of increased participation in the program, highlighting that more than 1,000 individuals enrolled in just one day. This surge reflects the community’s willingness to contribute actively during challenging weather conditions and reinforce safety measures.
Overall, Mamdani’s response indicates a pragmatic approach to criticism, turning it into an opportunity to promote civic engagement and community spirit in New York City.