But this is an affront to our city’s democracy. This is an affront to the values that make so many of us proud to be Americans — that we could choose our own leaders, not that our leaders pick themselves or their friends.

That is why so many New Yorkers are turned off by our politics, because they see no relevance of their struggles in the conversations that are taking place.

Today, we have learned what New Yorkers have long suspected, that Andrew Cuomo is Donald Trump’s choice to be the next mayor of this city.

We are talking about a mayor who was facing an indictment that was then dropped by this administration to ensure greater collaboration with the immigration directives of this administration now being considered for a job offer.

None of this has to do with New Yorkers.

None of it has to do with the welfare of this city. It all has to do with power.

If Donald Trump is serious about intervening in the mayoral race, he should come to New York City and debate me directly about why he’s cutting SNAP benefits for hungry New Yorkers to give tax breaks to his wealthy donors.

billionaires should not exist.

You can’t serve a city, you can’t fight for a city, if you don’t love that city.

I look forward to being your next mayor, next year.

It is such a pleasure to be here, and I want to say thank you to the organizers for celebrating what makes this community beautiful.