NYC mayor discusses definition of working class and tax proposals

Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the working class comprises people who have to work to pay their bills and afford basic necessities. When asked by a New York Times reporter if a $250,000 salary qualifies, he said he has not set a precise income threshold, but noted that those earning up to about $1 million a year could be considered part of the working class.

"I think if you have to work to pay your bills, that is one definition of being part of the working class," Mamdani said.

He added that his focus is on policies that bring more people into economic security rather than excluding higher earners, and expressed support for raising taxes on individuals making more than $1 million annually.

"I want to raise taxes on people who make more than a million a year," he said.

Mamdani also indicated that his administration is in discussions with the city Law Department about potential legal actions related to a possible visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the United Nations General Assembly, describing Netanyahu as a "war criminal" and stating that he should face proceedings at The Hague.