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Mayor Zohran Mamdani made a surprise visit to Washington Tuesday after Trump shouted-out the New York City mayor at the State of the Union.

“The new communist mayor of New York City, I think he’s a nice guy, actually. I speak to him a lot. Bad policy, but nice guy,” it’s unknown if Trump will be the person Mamdani meets with for his Washington visit.

Follow The Post’s live updates for the latest politics news in New York City, state legislation in Albany and more:

NYPD top cop Jessica Tisch issues fierce defense of cops — after Mayor Mamdani, DA Bragg dismiss snowball attack

By Kate Sheehy

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch issued a fierce defense of cops Friday —  after Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the punks who tossed icy snowballs at officers just “kids’’ and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg refused to prosecute one for assault.

“When you wear this uniform and uphold those standards, you deserve to be treated with respect,’’ Tisch told a group of cops at a promotion ceremony.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch speaks at a press conference with Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez, and NYS Governor Kathy Hochul.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch issued a fierce defense of cops Friday —  after Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the punks who tossed icy snowballs at officers just “kids’’ and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg refused to prosecute one for assault. Robert Miller for NY Post

“One thing that you can count on with me is this: I will hold this department to the highest standards,’’ she said.

“When those standards are met, I will always be fiercely protective of you, and as you’ve seen recently, I certainly will not tolerate any attacks on my cops, period.”

Tisch at the time called the attack “criminal” — but the socialist mayor dismissed the troubling incident as just a childish snowball fight among “kids.”

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NYC tenants vent housing grievances at Mamdani's first 'rental ripoff' hearing — remain dubious of change

By Zoe Hussain

Hundreds of New York City tenants vented their housing grievances at Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first “rental ripoff” hearing on Thursday — but remain dubious that their landlord woes will be fixed.

Roughly 500 tenants signed up to speak one-on-one with Mamdani’s controversial tenant advocate, Cea Weaver, and volunteers from several other city agencies to vocalize ongoing housing and landlord disputes at the Downtown Brooklyn hearing.

Cea Weaver, director of the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants, speaks during NYC's first "rental ripoff" hearing at George Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn on Feb. 26, 2026.
Cea Weaver, director of the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants, speaks during NYC's first "rental ripoff" hearing at George Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn on Feb. 26, 2026. Michael Nagle for NY Post

Weaver began the “rental ripoff” hearing — which was slammed by New York City Housing Authority residents for largely excluding them — by listing notable discussion points for tenants to voice to city advocates, including rental junk fees for amenities including keeping pets and code enforcement issues.

“What are the things you have to pay every month that are not your rent and that are making housing more unaffordable in the city?” Weaver asked the crowd.

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Columbia student detained by ICE will be released after Mamdani meeting with President Trump, mayor says

By Chris Nesi

A Columbia University student detained at her campus housing by ICE agents Thursday morning was released after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani received assurances from President Trump as they met at the White House Thursday. 

“Just got off the phone with President Trump. In our meeting earlier, I shared my concerns about Columbia student Elaina Aghayeva, who was detained by ICE this morning. He has just informed me that she will be released imminently,” Mamdani wrote on X late Thursday afternoon.

Elmina Aghayeva in a brown outfit and black tights on a city street.
A Columbia University student detained at her campus housing by ICE agents Thursday morning was released after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani received assurances from President Trump as they met at the White House Thursday.  Instagram / @ellharve

Hours later, Columbia released a statement heralding Adhayeva’s release.

“The university is relieved and thrilled that our student, Ellie, has been released from detainment. We will share additional details this evening,” it wrote in a statement on Instagram.

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Exclusive: Hundreds of NYC-DSA members turn on Mamdani over homeless sweep reversal: ‘Class enemy’

By Matthew Fischetti

Say it ain’t Zo. 

Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing a potential revolt from his Democratic Socialists of America comrades, The Post has learned.

More than 200 NYC-DSA members have signed a resolution calling out the mayor for his reversal on homeless encampment sweeps during the recent cold snap.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks at a press conference on a snowy day.
Zohran Mamdani is catching heat from his DSA comrades over his about-face on homeless sweep reversals. Stephen Yang for NY Post

The budding grassroots movement within the larger organization — said to have 12,000 members — his urging Hizzoner to take “alternative, non-carceral actions” instead of reviving the policy to get homeless people off the streets.

“We’re heartbroken by the loss of several New Yorkers who have frozen to death in the ongoing extreme weather crisis,” the “NYC-DSA Stand With Homeless New Yorkers” resolution reads. 

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1M co-op and condo owners, tenants join forces against Mamdani property tax hike

By Carl Campanile

A new lobbying coalition is launching to represent the interests of more than 1 million co-op and condo apartment owners and tenants amid Mayor Zohran Mamdani's call for a potential 9.5% property tax hike -- even as their buildings struggle to comply with expensive green mandates.

Co-op and condo owners complain that they are taxed at a higher rate than other homeowners while simultaneously paying to retrofit their buildings to reduce carbon emissions.to comply with Local Law 97.

“Co-ops and condos have taken a backseat for far too long in the political process in both New York City and New York State,” said Stuart Saft, executive member of the new group Co-ops and Condos United of NY.

“Our intention is to provide a unified organization so that we can speak with one voice on the issues that matter most to our communities.”

New York City is grappling with a cost-of-living crisis that impacts nearly all New Yorkers.

However, the group said affordability discussions have largely focused on issues impacting renters, excluding the challenges facing co-op and condo owners.

"There are many young families and many retirees living in co-ops and condos," said Jane Menton, legislative director of Co-ops and Condos United.

The group is also lobbying in Albany for the expansion of the J51-tax abatement program to cover their buildings and seeking exemption from the Scaffold Law.

Mamdani posts photo with Trump, photoshopped NY newspaper after ‘productive’ meeting

By Craig McCarthy

Mayor Zohran Mamdani posed with President Trump Thursday afternoon after their "productive" sitdown to discuss housing.

Trump, sitting behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, is holding a pair of newspapers in the shot as Mamdani stands to his side.

I had a productive meeting with President Trump this afternoon.

I’m looking forward to building more housing in New York City. pic.twitter.com/XnPbt0KXYU

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) February 26, 2026

Columbia student detained by DHS agents who posed as cops to gain access to residential building

By Carly Ortiz-Lytle

Department of Homeland Security agents took a Columbia University student into custody after posing as NYPD officers — complete with fake badges — to gain entry to campus housing, officials said.

The raid was launched at the elite school’s Morningside Heights campus around 6:30 a.m. Thursday, with agents making “misrepresentations” to access the student’s apartment and take her into custody, Columbia’s acting President Claire Shipman said in a letter to the school community.

Ellie Aghayeva, wearing a white strapless top and black skirt, posing in a hallway.
Elmina Aghayeva has an active social media presence with more than 113,000 followers on TikTok. Instagram / @ellharve

“We are working to gather more information, working to reach the family, and providing legal support.”

The operation involved an unknown number of agents, who reportedly told campus security officers they were investigating a missing persons case involving a 5-year-old girl.

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Hochul to whizz off to Florida for campaign fundraising trip

By Vaughn Golden

ALBANY – Gov. Kathy Hochul will fly to Florida for political fundraisers Thursday as New Yorkers continue digging out from the blizzard earlier this week.

Hochul will whizz off to the Sunshine State this evening to further pad her campaign's overflowing coffers, her campaign said.

"I'm going to say hi to some friends," Hochul weirdly remarked to reporters, when asked about the trip after an unrelated event in Midtown Thursday morning.

She said she'll return to New York on Saturday morning.

"Short trip. Short trip. Actually seasonal adjustive depression, give me a break. I'd like to take you all with me. I think it's affecting your attitude. You gotta get some sunshine," she told reporters.

The incumbent governor headed into this year with an obnoxious $32 million on-hand between her re-election campaign's account and that of the state Democratic Party.

Republicans slam NY's rent control law for the wealthy: 'Should be a means test'

By Carl Campanile

This is rich.

The law covering New York City's one million government rent-regulated apartments came under withering fire during a state budget hearing, as Republicans questioned why so many well-to-do Big Apple renters qualified for such "affordable housing."

"There should be a  means test," state Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola) said during the joint state Senate-Assembly hearing Wednesday on the housing portion of Gov. Kathy Hochul's $262.7 billion budget plan.

The 2023 New York City Housing Vacancy Survey found that 30% of  Big Apple residents living in rent-stabilized apartments make more than $100,000 a year, or nearly 300,000 of the 960,000 residents.

"Housing needs to be affordable for people who need it," Martins said.

He said the law approved in 2019 by the Democratic-run legislature allows wealthier tenants to occupy government regulated units, therefore denying needy New Yorkers from placements.

Martins and Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Smithtown) have proposed legislation to bar residents whose income is greater than 125% of the area median income from occupying such housing.

Tenants whose incomes jumped beyond that level during their lease would have to move out when it expired.

But the bill is gathering dust, because Democrats -- particularly those who represent more affluent city neighborhoods with thousands of tenants making more than six figures -- defend the status quo.

"Where would they go if they earned more?," said state Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, when asked about imposing a means test.

State Sen. Liz Krueger, who represents the Upper East Side, dismissed the claim of rich tenants in rent-stabilized housing as overblown.

"No one should leave this meeting under the illusion that wealthy people are taking their housing," Kruger, who chairs the Senate budget-writing finance committee, said.

She also claimed it was for healthy for neighborhoods to have "mixed income" tenants living in "mixed income housing."

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in his unsuccessful bid for mayor last year, proposed a means test for rent-stabilized units, after criticizing then-candidate Zohran Mamdani for living in such an apartment as an Assemblyman.

Mayor Mamdani moved out of his rent-stabilized apartment in Astoria, Queens and into Gracie Mansion upon taking office last month.

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Hochul appoints new boss of NY cannabis regulator after firing the last 2 directors

By Vaughn Golden

ALBANY – Gov. Kathy Hochul has tapped a new head for the Office of Cannabis Management, the state's marijuana regulator, after she fired the last two directors in just five years since New York legalized recreational cannabis.

John Kagia, who has served on an interim basis since Hochul asked for the resignation of former director Felicia Reid last year, was previously the policy director at OCM.

John Kagia was picked to run NY's legal weed regulator. upstatecapital.org

“Mr. Kagia embodies what it means to serve others, and I am confident that he will continue to use his talents to uplift our multibillion-dollar, equitable cannabis industry," Hochul wrote in a statement Thursday.

Hochul sacked Reid last year after it was revealed the agency had bungled how they calculated the required buffer zone between dispensaries and buildings like schools and houses of worship.

The blunder was so bad that a court had to get involved until the state Legislature could fix the law so dozens of pot shops wouldn't have to close for running afoul of the buffer rule.

"New York has built the most exciting, equitable, innovative, and opportunity-rich cannabis market in the world, and I look forward to working with the Governor, the incredible staff at the Office, and with all our stakeholders to continue to grow our industry," Kagia wrote in a statement.

His appointment will need to be confirmed by the state Senate.

"At a moment when the market needs steady, credible leadership, John is the right person to steer the ship and guide the agency forward," Empire Cannabis Manufacturers Alliance President Mack Hueber wrote in a statement.

Hochul stops by small NYC biz as she ramps up pressure on Trump to issue tariff refunds

By Haley Brown and David Propper

Gov. Kathy Hochul stopped by a small Manhattan wine business that had a leading role in fighting President Trump’s now-tossed tariffs Thursday as she called on the White House to issue rebate checks to New Yorkers.

The Democrat repeated her calls for Trump to send out tariff refunds while she stood next to VOS Selections owner Victor Schwartz, who was major player in the successful legal fight to stymie most of Trump’s across-the-board duties on imports.

Hochul called for a refund for New Yorkers. Derek French/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

Hochul called Schwartz, a wine importer, an “American hero” as she claimed New Yorkers “have paid more than they should have under the illegal scheme that the Supreme Court has struck down.”

She said she was sending a letter to the Department of Treasury “demanding the full refund for New Yorkers with individual families to the tune of $13.5 billion.”

“We believe we are owed this,” Hochul added.

The sweeping tariffs put in place last year cost New York households $1,751 each, according to the governor’s office. 

Columbia University student detained by ICE agent who misrepresented themselves: university

By Matthew Fischetti

A student from Columbia University was detained by ICE agents who misrepresented their identities earlier today, according to university officials.

The university said that the federal agents misrepresented themselves to enter building at around 6:30 this morning, saying they were search for a "missing person".

Acting university president Claire Shipman said they will provide more updates as information becomes available in a letter to students.

"ICE has no place in our schools and universities. These activities do not make our city or country safer, but rather drive mistrust and danger," City Council Speaker Julie Menin said in a joint statement with Majority Leader Shaun Abreu.

Neither City Hall nor the Department of Homeland Security immediately responded to a request for comment.

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