Two far-left Mayor Zohran Mamdani-backed House hopefuls are plotting a socialist push in DC even before being elected — and it could cost the Big Apple more than $215 million in crucial anti-terror funds.
Leading Democratic Socialists of America candidates Darializa Avila-Chevalier and Claire Valdez have hatched a scheme with congressional “Squad” members to vote down the Department of Homeland Security budget next year as they try to help create a powerful bloc of socialists in office in the nation’s capital, according to insiders.
The anti-DHS plan would come at a cost to the local radicals’ de facto DSA leader Mamdani, who has pushed for the funding and would have to answer for his comrades stripping New York City of the more than $215 million in counter-terrorism grants — but the radicals don’t care, the sources noted.
“They are trying to figure out how to hurt DHS even if it costs NYC millions [of dollars],” a source fumed.
“They don’t care what it costs NYC. They are there to make a point.”
Avila-Chevalier and Valdez are expected to sail to victory come November after securing wins in primaries earlier this year.
Avila-Chevalier is seeking a House seat repping parts of Manhattan and The Bronx, while Valdez, a state assemblywoman who represents portions of Brooklyn and Queens, hopes to win a congressional seat for that area.
Already in their sights is the Urban Areas Security Initiative, or UASI, which was created in 2003 as a direct response to 9/11 and provides nearly $600 million in grants for high-profile urban areas to prevent terror attacks.
Mamdani, along with his Albany frenemies, Gov. Kathy Hochul and state Attorney General Tish James, have repeatedly bemoaned the Trump administration for withholding some of the funds as recently as earlier this month.
“We are not talking about reports or studies or abstract security proposals,” Hizzoner griped Sept. 1. “We are talking about the money needed to fully fund 12 bomb squads across New York.
“We are talking about the money needed to ensure that in the event of a catastrophic attack, the FDNY can communicate internally and respond effectively. And we are talking about making sure that should New Yorkers ever face a radiological threat, our first responders have the training, the equipment and the capabilities they need to respond. “To put it simply, there is no excuse for the federal government to leave the nation’s largest city to shoulder this burden alone.”
Avila-Chevalier and Valdez’s half-baked plot to flex their socialist muscles as freshman Congress members and stand against DHS has involved an assist from “Squad” Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) — despite putting Mamdani and his admin in a bind.
Sources said DAC and Valdez have been trying to keep the plan under wraps because they are concerned it would cause “drama” with their DSA friend and Mamdani official Tascha Van Auken, who heads the mayor’s office of mass engagement.
“Both of these incoming members know they are piecing together a plan that hurts New York City financially, the safety of first responders, and their own voters — they just don’t care. It’s the exact opposite of ‘never forget,’ ” a federal legislative source fumed.
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