All hail Lord Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who will care for you and for your children, all while protecting the people from existential threats like… Benjamin Netanyahu.

As more time passes, it is becoming abundantly clear that Zohran Mamdani does not just see himself as mayor of New York City, or even as just a kingmaker with the ability to affect and control the direction of the Democrat party. He sees himself as an international figure, one worthy of being set up as a contrasting rival to the president himself. Now, Donald Trump has played nicely with Mamdani up to this point, and far more cordially than he probably should have. However, this relationship is due for a massive overhaul, especially after his Office for International Affairs tried to have a little meet-cute with the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations.

The top official in the Zohran Mamdani administration’s Office for International Affairs made plans to meet with Iran’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations.

Commissioner Ana María Archila was scheduled to meet with Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran’s permanent representative to the United Nations, at 2 United Nations Plaza, alongside two other senior officials in the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs on July 7 at 11 a.m.—this according to screenshots of a calendar invitation reviewed by City Journal and confirmed by a source connected to the international affairs community and another familiar with Archila’s office. Another official within the State Department also confirmed awareness of the Mamdani administration’s impending engagement.

The State Department caught wind of this meeting before it happened, and slapped it down. Mamdani insisted that he didn’t know about it as he tried to cover his ass.

“The commissioner recognized that this was made in error, and we’re working on a new process in terms of new meeting requests,” Mamdani said today when Playbook asked what will change, if anything, after International Affairs Commissioner Ana María Archila’s almost-meeting with Amir-Saeid Iravani, Iran’s United Nations envoy.

Mamdani told reporters Archila did not inform him of her plans to hold the Tuesday meeting with Iravani, adding that he only found out about it through a press inquiry. He said he directed her to cancel the sit-down as soon as he found out about it and promised “it will not take place” in the future.

“This was a request that came into the office, not one that originated from the office,” he said.

So, if Archila didn’t request the meeting, why would Iran approach Mamdani’s office for a meeting like this? And why would she, as a part of the mayor’s administration, think it was a GOOD idea to meet with the ambassador of a hostile government while the United States is in an active armed conflict with them? Notice what Mamdani DIDN’T say. Archila was not fired – they were going to figure out a “new process” to handle such requests. Again, why would the Iranian ambassador even ask for such a meeting? It’s because they know that Mamdani is a fellow traveler – and having photos of a “cordial” meeting between the Mamdani administration and the Iranian represenative in New York City would have been propaganda gold. But Archila (and by extension, Team Mamdani) probably saw this as international recognition for their boss, and couldn’t wait to set it up. Why? Because the attitude that New York City is Mamdani’s own personal fiefdom, a mini city-state that he gets to rule independently, permeates his entire administration.

Another example? Mamdani just gave an interview to the New York Times, and he wants the authority to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu, if he comes to New York City.

“I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in The Hague,” Mamdani bluntly told The New York Times, referring to the United Nation’s International Court of Justice.

“He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court. And what you will find is that it is an opinion that is held by many purely because of what his actions have wrought over these last many years.”

Mamdani – who has made accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza a focal point of a far-left ideology that his helped propel him into the national spotlight – vowed during last year’s campaign that, if elected mayoral, he’d have Netanyahu arrested if he ever set foot in NYC.

He cited the International Criminal Court’s 2024 arrest warrant for Netanyahu — which the U.S. doesn’t recognize.

However, Mamdani insisted during The Times interview that the city “won’t be writing our own laws” to lock up the prime minister, who is seeking re-election.

“Whatever the law allows me to do in New York City, that’s what we will do,” he said.

As always, Zohran Mamdani believes that being mayor of a city makes him an enforcer of a delusional, imaginary version of “international law” that supersedes the country he actually lives in. Just atrocious, dangerously idiotic nonsense. https://t.co/e5GlTSwsnU

— Ian Miller (@ianmSC) July 18, 2026

Will Mamdani actually do this? HA! No. He talks a big game, but this is red meat for the leftist masses. Netanyahu is a head of state, and has diplomatic immunity protections, and if Mamdani tried this bullshit, the Trump administration would smack him into next week. The mayor says this crap because it is a signal to his Israel-hating base, and because he is hoping to influence a future Democrat president into sanctioning Netanyahu, or a different future prime minister of Israel.

And speaking of red meat to the masses, the Lord Mayor will give you a free babysitter for date night!

Mayor Mamdani announced the launch of “Parents’ Night Out,” a city-sponsored program that will offer free babysitting for up to 500 children on Aug. 16 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Registration opens at 8 a.m. Monday and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Every parent knows that a few hours to yourself can feel like a luxury,” said Mayor Mamdani in prepared remarks. “It shouldn’t be. That’s why we’re launching New York City’s first-ever Parents’ Night Out, so that parents can get a little time on their own to catch a movie, run errands or go on a date without worrying about who will take care of the kids – or how much it will cost.”

The program is open to families with children ages 6 to 13 and will provide free child care at designated city recreation centers.

City officials say the initiative is designed to give parents and caregivers a break while children participate in supervised activities.

The Aug. 16 event will serve as a pilot program, with space available for 500 children across participating recreation centers throughout the city.

First of all, Mamdani has no children, so he has zero idea what parents need. Second, “don’t worry about who is watching the kids”? Yeah, I think most parents want some assurances about background checks and safety. Who is the city using to babysit?

"We'll be back in 4 hours, and until then, Omar the Shiv is in charge. You guys do what he tells you to."

— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) July 18, 2026

Jokes aside, how is this “free”? Aren’t the workers for this government program getting paid – with taxpayer dollars? This is another way to funnel tax money into recreation centers, designed as a “free” perk for the first 100 kids at five different locations within the city. But only certain ages. And no word about accommodations for special needs children. This event isn’t actually designed to be helpful – it’s designed to make Mamdani look like a benevolent feudal lord, offering a few hours break for the parents of elementary-aged (and presumably potty trained) children only. His administration is buying the goodwill of parents with taxpayer-funded services. He hasn’t quite run out of other people’s money yet! (That day is coming.)

Until (God forbid) a real crisis hits New York City, Zohran Mamdani will be able to posture and preen as ruler of his mini kingdom, acting as “dear leader” who just has the best interests of the serfs at heart. His inappropriate comments and attempted actions in international affairs will keep getting a pass, unless he crosses the line and actually tries something. The Lord Mayor will keep skirting all the lines, and courting the attentions of politicians who come to kneel before Zod seek his advice, while he keeps pushing Democrats to go further and further left. Someday, this will all come back to bite him in the ass, and he will be exposed for the empty suit he truly is. The question is, just how deep in the hole will New York City be when that happens?

Featured image: original Victory Girls art by Darleen Click