Mayors Navigate Partisan Politics to Serve Their Cities

Some confront Trump, others accommodate him to access federal funds and resources

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Mayors across the U.S. are taking different approaches in dealing with the Trump administration's encroachment into city affairs and policies. While some liberal mayors like Jacob Frey of Minneapolis have taken a confrontational stance, others like Adrian Mapp of Plainfield, New Jersey are opting for accommodation to access federal funds and resources their cities rely on. The article explores how mayors, who hold mostly nonpartisan jobs, are navigating the increasingly partisan political environment.

Why it matters

The relationship between mayors and the federal government, particularly the White House, has become increasingly strained and politicized in recent years. Cities rely heavily on federal funding and resources, but the Trump administration has made it clear that cities that don't comply with its policies, such as immigration enforcement, will face consequences like reduced federal aid. This is forcing mayors to make difficult choices between standing up to the administration or cooperating to serve their constituents' needs.

The details

The article profiles several mayors and their approaches to dealing with the Trump administration. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey took a confrontational stance, publicly criticizing the president and meeting with members of Congress after federal agents killed two of his constituents. Other mayors like Adrian Mapp of Plainfield, New Jersey feel compelled to accommodate the administration to access critical federal resources, even if it means personal and political battles. Meanwhile, mayors like Chris Jensen of Noblesville, Indiana try to stay out of partisan fights and focus on the day-to-day governing of their cities.

  • In January 2026, Helena Moreno became the new mayor of New Orleans.
  • In February 2026, President Trump threatened to pull 700 ICE agents out of Minneapolis if the city didn't comply with his requests.

The players

Jacob Frey

The liberal mayor of Minneapolis who took a confrontational stance against the Trump administration after federal agents killed two of his constituents.

Adrian Mapp

The mayor of Plainfield, New Jersey and the son of immigrants, who said some disagreements with the federal government can feel like a personal and political battle, but that residents expect their mayor to fight for them.

Chris Jensen

The two-term Republican mayor of Noblesville, Indiana, who said mayors must embrace bipartisanship to get resources for their constituents and that federal leaders could better utilize mayors by asking them for on-the-ground data and feedback.

Helena Moreno

The newly sworn-in mayor of New Orleans who met with President Trump to discuss the city's needs, saying she wanted to make sure the president heard directly from her.

Zohran Mamdani

The newly sworn-in mayor of New York City who said his administration will continue to stand up for the city against efforts to restrict federal funding based on politics and ideology.

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What they’re saying

“Mayors, we do not back down to bullies. We stand up for democracy.”

— Jacob Frey, Mayor of Minneapolis

“There is a sense in our community that this is what people want from their mayor — to know we're standing up, putting resources together and doing everything we can to support those who are affected.”

— Adrian Mapp, Mayor of Plainfield, New Jersey

“Mayors don't get to go on cable news and just repeat talking points. We have to do the work every single day. Snow has to be plowed. Roads have to be built. Trash has to be picked up. That's not partisan, that's just governing.”

— Chris Jensen, Mayor of Noblesville, Indiana

“I thought it was very important for the president to hear directly from me on what the city of New Orleans actually needs from the federal government.”

— Helena Moreno, Mayor of New Orleans (Instagram)

“It's absolutely affecting trust at every level.”

— Aftab Pureval, Mayor of Cincinnati

What’s next

The article does not mention any clear next steps or future newsworthy moments related to the story.

The takeaway

This story highlights the difficult position many mayors find themselves in, having to balance standing up to the federal government's partisan policies while also securing the resources and funding their cities need to function. It underscores the increasingly politicized nature of local governance and the challenges mayors face in serving their constituents in an era of heightened federal-local tensions.