“I’m hosting a phone bank with @nycDSA to Get Out The Vote for @ZohranKMamdani today at 6pm ET. Let’s get Zohran over the finish line for a New York that’s affordable for all!” he posted on X.
The three-hour event is hosted by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) but paid for by Zohran for NYC. Phone-banking is a common campaign tactic where surrogates call voters to ask for their support. However, it remains unclear if Corbyn is calling voters himself or merely instructing volunteers on how to make calls. According to the Forward, Corbyn was pictured on the phone-banking virtual call.
Under U.S. law, it is illegal for a foreign national to directly or indirectly make “a contribution or donation of money or other thing of value, or to make an express or implied promise to make a contribution or donation, in connection with a Federal, State, or local election.” In this case, Corbyn appeared to have provided a service to DSA during an event paid for by the Mamdani campaign.
This prompted speculation on social media. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon questioned on X, “Foreign interference in a US election?” She added, “I’m sure the John Brennan posse will get right on this with an indignant letter,” referencing the former CIA director’s claims about Russian interference.
Stu Smith, an investigative analyst for the Manhattan Institute, a right-leaning think tank, weighed in on the matter. He noted, “It’s technically legal under FEC rules as long as Corbyn isn’t compensated. Still, it’s a perfect example of how DSA, technically a 501(c)(4), keeps blurring lines with its ongoing collaborations and cross-border ties to foreign parties. Makes you wonder how closely they’re tiptoeing around FARA.”
Corbyn’s appearance in support of Mamdani through DSA also drew criticism due to his alleged past antisemitism. A 2020 report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission found that the Labour Party was responsible for “unlawful” harassment and discrimination during Corbyn’s tenure as leader. Corbyn was suspended from the party after calling the report’s findings “exaggerated.”
Meanwhile, in the New York City mayoral race, Cuomo has closed the gap with Mamdani, making it an almost margin-of-error contest. Mamdani’s campaign is scrambling to garner last-minute support by leveraging its ties with DSA to mobilize voters to the polls.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/state/3872274/corbyn-campaign-work-mamdani-draws-doj-scrutiny/