Zohran Mamdani‘s historic victory in the New York City mayoral election has catapulted him into the national spotlight, making him a figure of immense political interest. As the city’s first Muslim, first South Asian, and youngest mayor in over a century, his background and progressive platform have sparked curiosity about his future on the national stage. This leads to a pressing question on many observers’ minds: could his political ascent extend to a run for the highest offices in the land in the 2028 election? The answer to this question is rooted in a complex mix of his personal citizenship story and the unyielding requirements of the U.S. Constitution.
Despite being the focus of politically motivated attacks, Mamdani is unequivocally a U.S. citizen. He was born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991 and moved to the United States with his family in 1998 when he was seven years old. After living in the country for many years as a lawful permanent resident, he officially became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018. Following his mayoral win, some Republican lawmakers have called for his denaturalization, alleging he lied on his application about memberships or support for certain political causes.
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However, immigration law experts have found these claims to be without merit, noting that denaturalization is an extreme and rare legal measure that requires clear, convincing evidence of a material lie on the application. The accusations, largely based on his political rap lyrics and membership in the Democratic Socialists of America, do not meet this high legal bar, as the organization is not considered a communist party, and his expressions are protected speech. His status as a U.S. citizen is secure.
The Constitutional Hurdle to the Presidency
When it comes to a 2028 run for president, the U.S. Constitution presents an insurmountable barrier for Zohran Mamdani. Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the document is very clear on the matter, stating that “No person except a natural born Citizen… shall be eligible to the Office of President.” The critical term here is “natural-born Citizen,” which refers to an individual who was a U.S. citizen at birth, either by being born on U.S. soil or born abroad to American parents. This definition excludes anyone who became a citizen through the naturalization process later in life.
Reporter: Does NYC love President Trump?
Mamdani: pic.twitter.com/eAQtdgRIAz
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 21, 2025
Mamdani, having been born in Uganda to non-American parents and gaining his citizenship through naturalization in 2018, does not meet this fundamental constitutional requirement. This legal reality places him in the same category as other prominent figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Elon Musk, who are also ineligible for the presidency due to their foreign births. This rule is a fixed part of the Constitution, and changing it would require the monumental task of passing a constitutional amendment, which has failed every time it has been proposed. Consequently, regardless of his political talents or public support, Zohran Mamdani is constitutionally barred from ever becoming President of the United States.
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What About the Vice Presidency?
The same constitutional clause that blocks Mamdani’s path to the presidency also prevents him from assuming the vice presidency. The 12th Amendment, which outlines the process for electing the president and vice president, states that “no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.” This means the eligibility requirements for both offices are identical. Because he is not a natural-born citizen, he is ineligible to serve as vice president. Therefore, he cannot be selected as a running mate on a presidential ticket for the 2028 election or any future election.
While the highest offices in the nation are off-limits, Zohran Mamdani’s American citizenship fully qualifies him for many other significant roles, including his current position as Mayor of New York City, as well as a potential future in the U.S. Senate or a presidential cabinet. His political journey continues to be a powerful narrative about the evolving face of American leadership, even if the presidency remains a door the Constitution has closed.
