Post Reports: Mamdani's Victory and the Future of Trump's Agenda
Released June 26, 2025

Hosts: Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi
Guests: Colby Ikowicz, Paul Kane (Senior Congressional Correspondent), Sarah Ellison (National Enterprise Reporter)

1. Mamdani's Upset Victory in New York City's Mayoral Primary

The episode opens with a discussion on the surprising outcome of New York City's mayoral primary, where Zoran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Democratic Socialist, defeated the well-established Andrew Cuomo.

Key Highlights:

• Cuomo’s Downfall: Paul Kane remarks on Cuomo's "spectacular fall from grace," comparing him to Anthony Weiner and noting his repeated attempts to revive his political career (00:27).

• Mamdani’s Emergence: Sarah Ellison explains Mamdani's grassroots campaign, emphasizing his focus on affordability issues such as free buses, rent freezes, and city-run grocery stores. She highlights his strong support from young voters and his ability to mobilize an "organically growing volunteer organization" (05:50).

• Generational Shift: Colby Ikowicz points out that Mamdani's appeal lies in his youth and progressive ideas, which resonated with voters seeking generational change post the 2024 Democratic losses (02:22).

Notable Quotes:

• Sarah Ellison (02:35): “It just really felt like the movement broke the machine. And it was a race where people in New York, unusually people were talking about it.”

• Paul Kane (03:29): “Cuomo represented that old guard. So this is what the Democrats are going through right now.”

2. Impact on the Democratic Party and National Implications

The discussion delves into what Mamdani's victory signifies for the Democratic Party nationwide, especially in rebuilding after the 2024 election setbacks.

Key Points:

• Rebuilding the Coalition: Sarah Ellison analyzes how Mamdani attracted first-time voters, particularly younger demographics who had been disengaged in previous primaries (08:35).

• Comparisons to Barack Obama: The conversation touches on the difficulty Democrats face in replicating Obama's diverse and enthusiastic coalition, noting that Mamdani’s success in energizing voters could offer a blueprint (07:02).

• Party Dynamics: Paul Kane discusses the national Democratic Party's struggle to embrace progressive candidates without alienating the establishment, highlighting Mamdani's proposals as both relatable and, at times, too far left for some party members (09:40).

Notable Quotes:

• Sarah Ellison (13:08): “The Democrats have been casting about for what's our path forward... It does really pose this tricky, tricky question for how Democrats are going to move forward.”

• Paul Kane (09:40): “They definitely latched onto inflation and pocketbook issues in a way... he was trying to throw spaghetti against the wall.”

3. Future of the New York City Mayoral Race

Looking ahead, the hosts discuss potential scenarios for the general election, considering the various candidates in the race.

Key Insights:

• Potential Rematch: With Mamdani securing the Democratic nomination, there's speculation about a rematch against Cuomo, who may run as an independent (14:45).

• Other Candidates: Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent after his corruption scandal indictment, and Republican Curtis Sliwa are also in the mix, though Adams and Sliwa are less likely to challenge Mamdani effectively (15:43).

Notable Quotes:

• Sarah Ellison (14:45): “Mamdani will be the Democratic nominee in New York... very possible that this general election is going to be a rematch between Mamdani and Cuomo.”

4. Trump's War Powers and Congressional Authority

Shifting focus, the episode explores President Trump's recent military actions and the implications for congressional war powers.

Key Highlights:

• Iran Strikes: Colby Ikowicz highlights Trump's unauthorized bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities, noting he acted without congressional approval and even delayed informing some congressional leaders (18:17).

• Historical Context: Paul Kane provides a history of Presidents bypassing Congress on military actions, referencing George W. Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden, but emphasizes the unprecedented scale of the recent strikes (19:51).

• Congressional Inaction: Sarah Ellison critiques Congress's failure to assert its constitutional role in declaring war, attributing it to partisan gridlock and gerrymandering (24:03).

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Kane (19:42): “A lot of these other campaigns, bombing runs that Biden was doing against little rebel groups... this was hitting another nation state... definitely crossed a line.”

• Sarah Ellison (24:03): “If Congress can't even decide that going to war is something that they have a role in determining... what are they standing up for?”

5. The Future of Congressional War Powers

The hosts delve deeper into the unresolved issues surrounding congressional authority over military actions.

Key Points:

• Tim Kaine’s Resolution: Paul Kane discusses Senator Tim Kaine’s efforts to introduce a resolution requiring presidential consultation with Congress before military action, which became moot following Trump's strikes (20:43).

• Historical Failures: The episode reviews past attempts to revive war powers legislation, noting repeated failures due to partisan disagreements and lack of commitment from both parties (22:09).

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Kane (22:09): “Both parties have bungled this. It's happened under Republican presidents and Democratic presidents... it’s really been an incredible, incredible failure by Congress.”

6. Trump’s Tax Bill and Congressional Response

The conversation transitions to President Trump's proposed tax legislation, examining its potential passage and impact.

Key Highlights:

• Bill Overview: Colby Ikowicz outlines Trump's tax bill, which aims to cut taxes for higher earners while reducing funding for social programs like food stamps and Medicaid (25:14).

• Legislative Strategy: Paul Kane explains the Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s approach to passing the bill through procedural maneuvers, suggesting it’s likely to pass given the Republican majority, despite some opposition like Sen. Rand Paul (26:56).

• Public Interaction: Kane mentions the Washington Post’s interactive tax impact calculator, encouraging listeners to understand how the bill might affect their incomes (26:56).

Notable Quotes:

• Paul Kane (25:50): “Senate Majority Leader John Thune would like to start the debate sometime on Friday... I think they will get there.”

• Colby Ikowicz (27:59): “If it comes down to one or two people who are, you know, the difference between something passing and not passing... nobody wants to vote against Trump.”

7. Conclusion and Forward Look

The episode wraps up by summarizing the critical discussions on New York’s political shift, the ongoing battle over war powers, and the impending tax legislation. The hosts express anticipation for future developments in these areas and their implications for national politics.

Notable Final Remarks:

• Colby Ikowicz (28:20): “Well, thank you guys so much. This has been a great conversation. I loved having you both on. And that's it for today's episode.”

Summary:

In this episode of Post Reports, hosts Colby Ikowicz, Paul Kane, and Sarah Ellison delve into the seismic shift in New York City's political landscape with Zoran Mamdani's unexpected primary victory over Andrew Cuomo. They explore the broader implications for the Democratic Party, particularly the push for generational and ideological renewal. The discussion transitions to President Trump's recent unauthorized military strikes in Iran, highlighting the persistent challenges Congress faces in asserting its constitutional war powers. Finally, the episode examines Trump's proposed tax bill, analyzing its potential passage through the Senate and its impact on American taxpayers. Throughout, notable insights from Kane and Ellison underscore the evolving dynamics within American politics and governance.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Sarah Ellison (02:35): “It just really felt like the movement broke the machine. And it was a race where people in New York, unusually people were talking about it.”

• Paul Kane (03:29): “Cuomo represented that old guard. So this is what the Democrats are going through right now.”

• Sarah Ellison (13:08): “The Democrats have been casting about for what's our path forward... It does really pose this tricky, tricky question for how Democrats are going to move forward.”

• Paul Kane (19:42): “A lot of these other campaigns, bombing runs that Biden was doing against little rebel groups... this was hitting another nation state... definitely crossed a line.”

• Sarah Ellison (24:03): “If Congress can't even decide that going to war is something that they have a role in determining... what are they standing up for?”

• Paul Kane (25:50): “Senate Majority Leader John Thune would like to start the debate sometime on Friday... I think they will get there.”

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the Post Reports episode, providing listeners with a detailed overview of the critical discussions and insights shared by the hosts and guests.