Why Mamdani Can Never Become the President of the United States

Darwin, 08 November-

The victory of the Democratic Party in the New York City mayoral election is a major event not only in U.S. politics but also globally. At a time when the conservative Republican Party, led by President Donald Trump, dominates the U.S. political landscape, Mamdani’s win has dealt a significant blow to that dominance.

In the recently concluded New York City mayoral election, Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic leader, secured victory with 50% of the votes. He achieved this triumph despite obstacles, smear campaigns, and threats from Trump and the Republican Party.

Mamdani’s victory has sparked excitement not only in the United States but also around the world. A glance at social media reflects the widespread enthusiasm. Many of his supporters and well-wishers have already begun envisioning him as a future president of the United States.

Unfortunately, that will never be possible. The biggest barrier lies in Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the U.S. Constitution, which states:
“No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President.”

In other words, a presidential candidate must be a natural-born citizen—someone born on U.S. soil. If a person is not a natural-born citizen, they are constitutionally ineligible to run for president.

Zohraan Mamdani, although an American citizen, is not a natural-born citizen. He was born in 1991 in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. At the age of seven, he moved to the United States with his parents—Indian-born filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani. Before coming to the U.S., the family lived for some time in South Africa. Mamdani became a U.S. citizen in 2018.

The “natural-born citizen” clause in the U.S. Constitution has long been the subject of debate. However, it has never been amended or repealed, as doing so would require a constitutional amendment—a process that is extremely difficult and complex.

To amend the Constitution, both chambers of Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives—must approve the change, followed by ratification from a large majority of state legislatures and local government units.

This makes any such change highly unlikely in the foreseeable future. Therefore, no matter how popular or influential Zohraan Mamdani becomes, under the current U.S. Constitution, there is no possibility of him ever becoming the President of the United States.

Source: AFP