A growing rift between New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin erupted further into public view, as clashes over taxes, spending and policy priorities raise questions about whether the democratic socialist mayor can push his agenda through a divided City Hall.

The feud escalated last week as Menin broke with Mamdani on several high-profile issues. After the mayor proposed creating a city-owned grocery store on Sunday, Menin signaled she was not ready to support it without hearing from local businesses.

She also criticized the administration over reported changes to a draft racial equity report and blasted Mamdani over his threat to raise property taxes, a toxic issue especially in Black communities.

The council has also raised concerns about Mamdani's nominee to lead the Department of Investigation.

Tensions flared further when an internal union memo indicated Menin appeared to help organize a protest outside Mamdani's 100-day speech in Queens. Both Menin and the labor group denied any coordination, calling it a misunderstanding.

And that was just the first full week of April.

Earlier this month, the two Democrats also sparred over the council's budget proposal, prompting a sharp response from Mamdani and criticism of Menin from his allies.

"I'm expecting this kind of behavior, unfortunately, to be front and center at this stage of the process because that's just how the budget works," Diana Ayala, who served as deputy council speaker under Adrienne Adams, told Politico. "But within a month or two, if things haven't stabilized, that would be very troubling."

Council speakers are expected to act as a check on the mayor, but Menin's willingness to flex that power this early on suggests Mamdani could face a difficult four years.

Mamdani, 34, has quickly become one of the nation's most closely watched mayors after riding a wave of far-left energy to victory in November. His administration is already being viewed as a test of whether an ambitious progressive agenda can survive the realities of governing.

In a statement, Menin's office insisted that the two leaders are still working together.

"We both love our city and we share a deep commitment to tackling the affordability and fiscal challenges ahead," Menin told Politico. "We won't agree on every issue, and that's part of the nature of city government, but we remain focused on working together and delivering for New Yorkers."

Mamdani's office struck a similar tone, telling the outlet the mayor is eager to work with Menin to tackle the city's problems.

"As we address a $5.4 billion inherited budget deficit and confront the affordability crisis head-on, the Mayor looks forward to working with Speaker Menin and all of our legislative partners to build a more affordable and livable New York City," spokesperson Dora Pekec said in a statement.

Still, the rhetoric has sharpened.

An internal union email obtained by Politico suggests that Menin asked the United Federation of Teachers to send protesters to the Knockdown Center in Queens to call attention to proposed legislation that would give a pay raise to teaching aides known as paraprofessionals. While the union backed the proposal, Mamdani opposed the legislation.

"Speaker Menin is asking for 20 people to be outside with Para Respect signs, so the mayor and others can see them as they enter," the email read.

Menin's office forcefully denied involvement in the protest, calling the allegation of coordination with the union "patently false."

"Neither the speaker nor anyone in our office had any communication with the UFT regarding this event, and we've had no knowledge of it," council spokesperson Henry Robins said in a statement to Politico.

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