Former NJ Mayor Slams NYC Mayor Over Garbage Removal After Snowstorm

Chris Christie criticizes Zohran Mamdani's handling of snow cleanup and trash pickup in New York City.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's response to a recent major snowstorm, saying Mamdani did a poor job of clearing snow and removing garbage from city streets. Christie claimed the mayor's own residence at Gracie Mansion was kept clean while the rest of the city remained littered with piles of snow and trash.

Why it matters

Effective snow removal and garbage collection are critical services that mayors must provide, especially after major winter storms. Christie's criticism highlights ongoing challenges New York City faces in maintaining basic municipal services and infrastructure, which can impact quality of life for residents.

The details

According to Christie, while Mamdani was able to clear some of the snow, he "couldn't figure out how to do anything else" and failed to have the city's garbage collected. Streets across the five boroughs have been lined with piles of garbage bags as pickup delays have plagued the city since the late January snowstorm that dumped a foot of snow. Christie suggested the mayor's own residence at Gracie Mansion was kept clean and clear of snow and trash, while the rest of the city suffered.

  • A major snowstorm hit New York City in late January 2026, dumping a foot of snow.
  • Christie made his comments criticizing Mamdani's response on February 9, 2026.

The players

Chris Christie

Former Republican governor of New Jersey who has been critical of Democratic leaders in neighboring New York City.

Zohran Mamdani

The current Democratic mayor of New York City, elected in 2025.

Gracie Mansion

The official residence of the mayor of New York City.

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What they’re saying

“I give him a C because he seemed to move a bunch of the snow, but couldn't figure out how to do anything else when that was going on.”

— Chris Christie, Former New Jersey Governor (Real Time with Bill Maher)

“But you know the one place, Bill, that is pristine, the garbage is gone and there's no ice, even, on the sidewalk? In front of Gracie Mansion.”

— Chris Christie, Former New Jersey Governor (Real Time with Bill Maher)

“So, like, socialist-mocialist. Take care of my thing first.”

— Chris Christie, Former New Jersey Governor (Real Time with Bill Maher)

What’s next

The New York City Council is expected to hold hearings on the city's snow and garbage removal response in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges mayors face in providing basic municipal services, especially in the aftermath of major weather events. Effective snow and garbage removal are critical to maintaining a high quality of life for urban residents, and political leaders will continue to be judged on their ability to meet these fundamental responsibilities.