Florida congressman wrongly said Mamdani is requiring an ID to shop at NYC-run grocery stores

As President Donald Trump has pressured Congress to rewrite election laws, many of his allies have said Democrats support requiring identification for all sorts of activities — but not voting.

Most recently, a Florida Republican congressman said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani will require ID to shop at city-owned grocery stores.

“He’s requiring ID to prevent non-residents (and non-citizens of NYC) from walking in and snatching up the discounted food,” U.S. Rep. Randy Fine said in an Aug. 16 fundraising email.

“Democrats are perfectly fine putting up barriers and demanding identification when it comes to rationing cheap groceries,” Fine’s email said. “But the second we talk about protecting the integrity of our elections, they act like requiring ID is some kind of civil rights violation.” 

Fine’s fundraising email called on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require people to provide documentary proof of citizenship such as a passport or birth certificate when registering to vote, and a government-issued photo ID when voting.

Fine’s accusation about Mamdani came nearly two weeks after the mayor and his spokespersons said they will not require an ID to shop at the stores. Fine’s congressional office referred us to his reelection campaign, which did not respond to our queries. 

Fine has targeted Mamdani with racist attacks, calling him “Jihadi Mamdani” and labeling him a “terrorist.” 

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Official mentioned a ‘library card-esque thing,’ but Mamdani has said no ID will be required

On July 27, New York City officials announced they will create five municipal grocery stores where certain items such as fresh produce, meat and milk will be 30% cheaper than in retail stores. 

Mamdani asked grocers and operators to apply to run the stores.

City officials aim to reduce the price of food for New Yorkers who struggle to pay their bills, but the discounted prices will be available to anyone who shops there, regardless of income. The first store is expected to open by the end of 2027.

A written announcement from the city did not say shoppers would need ID, and Mamdani didn’t say it either. However, an official with a city-affiliated organization raised the possibility during a July 27 press conference.

A reporter asked whether there will be a limit on the number of discounted items someone can purchase.

Mamdani replied that the goal is to help New Yorkers put food on the table and not to let people “make a quick buck through reselling.”

He then asked Jeanny Pak, interim president and CEO of New York City’s Economic Development Corporation, to provide details.

Pak said the city is seeking proposals from potential store operators, and she floated the idea of “a library card-esque thing” for shoppers.

Republican politicians and others —  including the House Republicans X account; U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C; and podcaster Joe Rogan — took a clip of Pak saying “library card-esque” and shared it online. They said her statement was evidence that Mamdani will require ID at the grocery stores.

Mamdani has refuted those claims.

He chuckled at the idea of requiring ID in an Aug. 3 interview with liberal commentator Joy-Ann Reid. “When we’re talking about a city-run grocery store — one in each borough, which, by the way, you do not need an ID to shop at, no matter what you’ve just heard.”

Mamdani spokespersons said on X there is no ID requirement.

“The only card we’ll have is a voluntary savings card like they have at any typical supermarket,” Dora Pekec wrote.

A New York City Economic Development Corporation spokesperson told PolitiFact that officials are discussing the possibility of a customer card to prevent people from buying large quantities of discounted staples for resale. The card, which will have a bar code, is expected to function similarly to a supermarket loyalty card. However, details have yet to be decided because store operators have not been chosen.

The city’s July 27 request for proposals said that the operator(s) “will create a voluntary free-to-access membership card program to monitor sales activity, and implement the discount program and any associated demand management measures.” It said that the card will not be required to access the stores and will be made easily available to anyone requesting one.

Fine sent his email more than a week after multiple outlets, including the conservative New York Post, debunked the grocery store ID requirement idea.

RELATED: You can shovel snow without an ID in NYC, but to get paid for it, you’ll need ID

Our ruling

Fine said Mamdani is “requiring ID” to shop at city-run grocery stores.

An official with a city-affiliated organization said the city was considering a “library card-esque thing,” without elaborating, at a news conference.

But Mamdani has said people won’t need an ID to shop. The city is considering having the stores’ operator develop a card that would prevent people from buying at a discount and then reselling large quantities of food. 

The burden of proof is on the speaker, and Fine provided no evidence to support the statement.

We rate it False.

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