Copyright Newsweek
The U.S. Department of Justice is reviewing concerns raised about a recent campaign event involving New York Assembly member Zohran Mamdani and former U.K. Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, after Corbyn participated in a phone-banking session encouraging voters to support Mamdani ahead of the November 4 New York City mayoral election. Harmeet Dhillon, a member of the Justice Department’s leadership team and former Republican National Committee attorney, questioned the legality of Corbyn’s involvement in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on November 2, linking to Corbyn’s message promoting the event. Newsweek contacted the DOJ, Mamdani and Corbyn for comment via email outside of normal office hours on Monday. Why It Matters The episode has drawn attention because it tests the limits of U.S. election laws meant to bar foreign nationals from influencing American races. While Jeremy Corbyn’s participation appears to have been voluntary, legal experts say the case illustrates a gray area between protected political speech and prohibited foreign involvement. With the Justice Department reviewing the matter, the controversy underscores how even symbolic gestures of international solidarity can trigger scrutiny under rules designed to keep U.S. elections free of outside influence. What To Know Who Is Jeremy Corbyn And What Was The Event Jeremy Corbyn, 76, led Britain’s centre-left Labour Party from 2015 to 2020. He was expelled from the party last year and reelected to parliament as an independent. He wrote on X on November 2: "I’m hosting a phone bank with @nycDSA to Get Out The Vote for @ZohranKMamdani today at 6 p.m. ET. Let’s get Zohran over the finish line for a New York that’s affordable for all!" The event was organized through the Action Network platform and promoted by the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). The Candidate—Zohran Mamdani Just days before New York City’s mayoral election, front-runner Zohran Mamdani—a Democrat representing Astoria, Queens—released a new campaign advertisement entirely in Arabic in which he addresses voters on a progressive platform emphasizing affordable housing, public-transit expansion, and labor rights. In the video, Mamdani—who is Muslim and recently spoke out against Islamophobia—is shown inside a bodega, where a Palestinian flag could be seen behind the counter. "I know what you’re thinking—I might look like your brother-in-law from Damascus, but my Arabic still needs some work; still, I would love to ask for your support on November 4th." Mamdani says in the ad. Aged 34, Mamdani—a longtime pro-Palestinian activist and vocal critic of Israel—has faced scrutiny for his positions on Israel and Gaza, which have emerged as a central point of contention in the race following his unexpected primary victory. He has been a prominent member of the DSA’s New York slate, frequently aligning with left-wing figures and movements. Jeremy Corbyn, meanwhile, has faced longstanding allegations of antisemitism over his handling of related complaints within the U.K. Labour Party during his leadership, according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s 2020 report on the issue. The controversy led to his suspension from the party by his successor Sir Keir Starmer, and in 2024 he was expelled after announcing he would stand for reelection to parliament as an independent. Corbyn’s participation in the Mamdani campaign’s volunteer efforts appeared to reflect those ideological ties. In past statements, he has described his work with U.S. activists as part of a broader international solidarity movement among democratic socialists. The Legal Framework Under U.S. election law, it is illegal for foreign nationals to make a "contribution or donation of money or other thing of value" in connection with any federal, state, or local election. The statute, codified at 52 U.S. Code § 30121, also bars foreign nationals from taking part in decisions regarding campaign spending. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has repeatedly said that foreign nationals may provide uncompensated volunteer services to campaigns or political committees without it counting as a prohibited contribution. The FEC’s volunteer rules clarify that if a person is paid for their time by someone else, that payment becomes an in-kind contribution. Because foreign nationals cannot make contributions—and others cannot make contributions on their behalf—having a foreign national volunteer on paid time or with paid resources can create a legal problem. Legal Gray Areas Using campaign-provided resources is acceptable; using the foreign national’s own money is not. In Advisory Opinion 2007-22, the FEC noted that out-of-pocket volunteer spending, such as significant travel, can itself be a contribution. Foreign nationals are barred from making such contributions, though incidental unreimbursed expenses are permitted. Regardless of compensation, a foreign national may not "direct, dictate, control, or directly or indirectly participate in the decision-making process" of any political committee on activities such as strategy, spending, or administration. Expert View According to Stu Smith, a legal fellow at the Manhattan Institute, Corbyn’s activity would not necessarily violate federal law: "Did you know that tonight British politician Jeremy Corbyn will be phone banking for Zohran Mamdani? It’s technically legal under FEC rules as long as Corbyn isn’t compensated," Smith wrote on X, responding to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon’s remarks. He added: "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." Were Corbyn being paid, or if his involvement provided access to resources that would otherwise cost the campaign money, that could raise questions. However, a foreign national’s unpaid volunteer work—such as phone banking—is generally permissible; payment for services or access to paid resources that substitute for campaign spending can convert the activity into a prohibited "thing of value." The Context The issue of foreign involvement in U.S. elections has drawn heightened attention in recent years, particularly since federal investigations into foreign interference during the 2016 presidential race. While the Mamdani campaign’s case differs sharply from those incidents, Dhillon’s public remarks suggest the Justice Department may be examining whether even small-scale participation by foreign nationals could fall within the law’s boundaries. For now, there is no indication that either Mamdani or Corbyn faces formal allegations of wrongdoing, but the episode underscores the sensitivity of campaign activity involving non-U. S. citizens—especially when it intersects with political movements that have international networks. What People Are Saying Zohran Mamdani said on October 11: "I support the vision of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state … also a responsibility, to uphold international law." Jeremy Corbyn, rejecting the overall findings of the EHRC 2020 report on antisemitism in the Labour Party told The Guardian: "One anti-Semite is one too many, but the scale of the problem was also dramatically overstated for political reasons by our opponents inside and outside the party, as well as by much of the media." What Happens Next For now, the Justice Department has not opened a formal investigation, and legal experts say it is unlikely that Jeremy Corbyn’s unpaid phone banking for Zohran Mamdani would violate federal law. The matter could nonetheless be reviewed by the DOJ or the Federal Election Commission to determine whether any contribution or coordination occurred. Absent new evidence of compensation or material benefit, the issue is expected to remain a question of interpretation rather than enforcement, though it may influence how campaigns handle foreign participation in future elections.
