Bloomberg Talks

Episode: Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis of New York Talks Zohran Mamdani, District Challenges

Date: January 23, 2026
Host: Bloomberg
Guest: Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, the only Republican congressional representative from New York City. The discussion centers on the imminent winter storm threatening Manhattan, the political pressures on New York City's leadership—specifically new Mayor Zohran Mamdani—and the contentious court order to redraw her district. Key topics include the impact of political decisions during crises, the battle over redistricting and partisan representation, and the challenges of federal agency workforce reductions impacting disaster preparedness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New York's Readiness for a Major Winter Storm

• Storm Anticipation: The episode opens with talk about a forecasted massive snowstorm (potentially 16 inches) in Manhattan, a major test for the newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani.
• Operational Confidence:
  • Malliotakis (01:08): “New York's the type of city that in many ways can run on autopilot. But… you have enough individuals, particularly the rank and file men and women who go out there every day to keep our city safe and clean... I have full faith that they'll be able to to do it.”

2. The Political Stakes of Crisis Management

• Mayor's First Test: The host raises the suggestion that how the storm is handled will mark a pivotal moment for Mayor Mamdani's leadership.
• Bipartisan Responsibilities in Crises:
  • Malliotakis (01:48): “There’s no Republican or Democrat way to take out the garbage, they say. And I believe the same thing when it comes to... plowing the snow... It is a test. He’ll definitely get the heat if it’s not cleaned properly and he certainly probably won’t get the credit if it is done well. It’ll go to the men and women on the ground. So it’s like a no-win situation for politicians. Wow.”

3. District Redrawing and the Battle for Representation

• Recent Court Ruling: The conversation shifts to a judge's decision requiring Malliotakis’s district (NY-11) be redrawn for allegedly diluting black and Latino votes, a move Malliotakis strongly opposes.
• Recurring Redistricting Fights:
  • Malliotakis (03:04): “We fought this battle in 2022 and 2024 successfully. Here we are again, third time running for reelection, and it's the third time we're having a fight over the district map. And this is because the Democrats simply can't beat me on merit, on policy, on debate... Now you have a Washington law firm... saying, we don't care what the people of Staten Island say, how they vote. We want to be able to fix this map so they can never elect a Republican ever again.”

Notable Segment – On District Diversity Accusations (04:27)

• Malliotakis (04:27): “I'm the first Hispanic, half Cuban to represent this district, the first minority. So that's kind of interesting that they would claim that. But what's even more ludicrous is their solution... to put Staten Island with lower Manhattan, which would add more white voters... It is completely meritless.”
• Blames influence of state-level politics:
  • “The only reason it got anywhere... is because the judge was the chief of staff and counsel to Governor Kathy Hochul. You can't just go to your friends on the bench and expect... whatever political outcome you want because you can't win at the ballot box. That's not the way democracy works. And I think it's wrong when Republicans do it as well.”

Gerrymandering as a Non-Partisan Issue (05:18)

• Malliotakis: “Political gerrymandering is wrong because it should be the people who elect their representatives and not the other way around.”

On Prospects for Bipartisan Representation (05:46)

• Malliotakis: “This would mean that New York City would no longer have any competitive districts. Not one competitive seat. And New York City will never have another Republican representing our city in Washington… I believe bipartisan representation of our city is incredibly important, particularly now...”

• Citing Her Record (06:14):

  • “I went to President Trump when DHS was gonna cut Homeland Security counterterrorism funding to our NYPD. We worked to get that money back. When they were gonna cut World Trade Center healthcare Program employees... I fought Doge and I got those employees hired back with my colleagues.”

4. FEMA Workforce Cuts and Disaster Preparedness (06:56)

• Bloomberg Host highlights recent FEMA worker cuts (14% of the agency) tied to budget constraints, with potential impacts during emergencies.
• Malliotakis's Take on Bureaucracy and Targeted Cuts (07:30):
  • “A lot of these agencies do have bloat. There is bureaucracy, there is some savings to be had... but we need to be targeted and use precision... We can't just fire employees that are, that are needed.”
  • “Certainly, everybody knows there’s a lot of bloat and bureaucracy in Washington where we can find efficiencies to not only bring our debt down but to... protect the taxpayers, which we had a fiscal response fiduciary responsibility to do.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On nonpartisan governance during crises:
  • “There’s no Republican or Democrat way to take out the garbage... the same thing when it comes to... plowing the snow.” – Malliotakis (01:48)
• On the redistricting fight:
  • “This is because the Democrats simply can't beat me on merit, on policy, on debate.” – Malliotakis (03:06)
• On political gerrymandering:
  • “It should be the people who elect their representatives and not the other way around.” – Malliotakis (05:18)
• On representation diversity accusations:
  • “I'm the first Hispanic, half Cuban to represent this district, the first minority. So that's kind of interesting that they would claim that.” – Malliotakis (04:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Storm Readiness – Opening: 01:08
• The Political Stakes of Snow Response: 01:48
• Redistricting Battle Explained: 03:04
• Diversity & Gerrymandering Accusations: 04:27
• Gerrymandering as a Non-Partisan Problem: 05:18
• Can a Republican Win Manhattan?: 05:25
• Importance of Bipartisan Representation: 06:14
• FEMA Cuts and Preparedness: 06:56
• Bureaucracy and Precision in Budget Cuts: 07:30

Conclusion

The episode delivers a candid, unfiltered look at the tension points in New York City politics—from the pragmatic realities of handling crises to the heated philosophical and practical conflicts underlying congressional redistricting. Congresswoman Malliotakis positions herself as a bipartisan worker for the city’s interests, expresses strong opposition to gerrymandering (regardless of party), and emphasizes both the challenges and importance of competitive representation. Her forthright style and detailed recounting of past interventions anchor the discussion in both local detail and broader national themes.