New Yorkers Blast Mayor Over Lack of Heat and Piling Trash

Tens of thousands left without heat as deadly cold hits, while garbage accumulates across the city

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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New Yorkers have been highly critical of Mayor Zohran Mamdani as the city faces a crisis with tens of thousands of residents left without heat during a brutal winter, while trash piles up on the streets. Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani has joined the chorus of criticism, contrasting Mamdani's response to past administrations' handling of winter storms.

Why it matters

The failure to provide basic services like heat and trash removal during extreme winter weather raises serious concerns about the city government's ability to effectively manage emergencies and protect vulnerable residents. The political fallout could have significant implications for Mamdani's administration and the city's future.

The details

According to reports, New Yorkers placed over 80,000 calls to 311 in January 2026 to report a lack of residential heat and hot water, the highest monthly total on record. Tenants across the city described being trapped in unlivable conditions, with some forced to seek shelter elsewhere. Meanwhile, trash has been piling up on city streets, with one resident describing it as the "Great Wall of New York City trash." Former Mayor Giuliani has criticized Mamdani's response, contrasting it with the efficiency of past administrations in clearing snow and maintaining services during storms.

  • In January 2026, New Yorkers placed over 80,000 calls to 311 reporting a lack of residential heat and hot water.
  • Deadly cold temperatures have continued to hit the city throughout the winter.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, who is facing intense criticism for the city's failure to provide basic services during the winter weather crisis.

Rudy Giuliani

The former mayor of New York City, who has publicly criticized Mamdani's response to the current crisis and contrasted it with the efficiency of past administrations.

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What they’re saying

“We've had over 40 days of no hot water over the last 11 months. And we're now on day eight or nine straight of no hot water. I had to walk 15 minutes in the snow and ice to a friend's house so I could shower.”

— Alex Hughes, Williamsburg tenant (The New York Post)

“This is the Great Wall of New York City trash. This is now a national landmark. You can't even see that there is a road on the opposite side of this. I'm about 6ft tall … This is insane!”

— Chief Nerd (Twitter)

“As mayor—during storms—New Yorkers knew the streets would be plowed, trash would be picked up, and the vulnerable would be protected. We cleaned up snow so fast people complained they didn't even get a day off work! Compare that to now, 10 days after a storm...”

— Rudy Giuliani, Former NYC Mayor (Twitter)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This crisis highlights the critical importance of effective municipal leadership and the need for city governments to prioritize the basic services and infrastructure that protect vulnerable residents, especially during extreme weather events. The political fallout could have significant implications for Mayor Mamdani's administration and the future of New York City.