Progressive Haven Shocks Left: West Hollywood Honors Conservative as NYC Threatens Netanyahu

Paul Riverbank, 9/16/2025 Two American cities present striking contrasts in local governance: West Hollywood demonstrates evolving political maturity by following federal protocols despite its progressive history, while NYC's mayoral candidate Mamdani pushes controversial boundaries between municipal authority and international politics, highlighting the complex nature of local governance in today's interconnected world.

The Political Pendulum: When Local Governance Meets Global Politics

As someone who's spent decades covering American politics, I'm struck by two recent developments that perfectly illustrate the fascinating evolution of local governance in our increasingly interconnected world.

Let's start with West Hollywood, a city I've watched transform from a small progressive enclave into a significant voice in national LGBTQ+ advocacy. In what might seem like political whiplash to casual observers, the city recently lowered its iconic rainbow flags to half-staff to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Yes, the same West Hollywood that symbolically "banned" Donald Trump in 2016.

But here's what makes this particularly interesting: The city's decision wasn't about ideology – it was about process. A city spokesperson (who, I should note, seemed almost apologetic when explaining this) pointed to their Policy for Recognitions and Memorials, which essentially says they follow presidential directives on flag protocols. It's a remarkable example of how formal procedures can sometimes override political instincts.

Meanwhile, across the country in New York City, we're seeing a different kind of political theater unfold. Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has made headlines with his bold – some might say quixotic – declaration that he'd try to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited NYC. Having covered international law for years, I can't help but shake my head at the legal naiveté of this position.

Look, I understand the impulse to make dramatic campaign promises. But anyone familiar with diplomatic protocols knows that federal security forces would shut down such an attempt faster than a New York minute. The U.S. has never recognized the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction, making Mamdani's proposal more political theater than practical policy.

What's particularly fascinating about Mamdani's campaign is its contradictions. He's softening his stance on domestic issues – even planning to apologize to the NYPD for past criticism – while doubling down on international controversies. His pledge to reverse Mayor Adams' executive order on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism shows just how complex these local-global intersections have become.

I've seen many cities struggle with this balance between local responsibilities and global aspirations. West Hollywood's evolution from symbolic gestures to protocol adherence suggests one path forward. But Mamdani's campaign represents another approach entirely – using city politics as a platform for international advocacy.

The question we should be asking isn't whether cities should engage with national and international issues – that ship has sailed. Instead, we need to consider how they can do so effectively while still serving their primary constituency: local residents.

From my vantage point, these stories reflect a broader trend in American politics: the increasing difficulty of maintaining clear boundaries between local, national, and international governance. As cities continue to assert themselves on the global stage, these tensions will only become more pronounced.

But perhaps that's not entirely a bad thing. After all, democracy has always been messy, complicated, and full of contradictions. Maybe these local-global tensions are just democracy's latest growing pains.

The Political Pendulum: When Local Governance Meets Global PoliticsAs someone who's spent decades covering American politics, I'm struck by two recent developments that perfectly illustrate the fascinating evolution of local governance in our increasingly interconnected world.Let's start with West Hollywood, a city I've watched transform from a small progressive enclave into a significant voice in national LGBTQ+ advocacy. In what might seem like political whiplash to casual observers, the city recently lowered its iconic rainbow flags to half-staff to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Yes, the same West Hollywood that symbolically "banned" Donald Trump in 2016.But here's what makes this particularly interesting: The city's decision wasn't about ideology – it was about process. A city spokesperson (who, I should note, seemed almost apologetic when explaining this) pointed to their Policy for Recognitions and Memorials, which essentially says they follow presidential directives on flag protocols. It's a remarkable example of how formal procedures can sometimes override political instincts.Meanwhile, across the country in New York City, we're seeing a different kind of political theater unfold. Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has made headlines with his bold – some might say quixotic – declaration that he'd try to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited NYC. Having covered international law for years, I can't help but shake my head at the legal naiveté of this position.Look, I understand the impulse to make dramatic campaign promises. But anyone familiar with diplomatic protocols knows that federal security forces would shut down such an attempt faster than a New York minute. The U.S. has never recognized the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction, making Mamdani's proposal more political theater than practical policy.What's particularly fascinating about Mamdani's campaign is its contradictions. He's softening his stance on domestic issues – even planning to apologize to the NYPD for past criticism – while doubling down on international controversies. His pledge to reverse Mayor Adams' executive order on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism shows just how complex these local-global intersections have become.I've seen many cities struggle with this balance between local responsibilities and global aspirations. West Hollywood's evolution from symbolic gestures to protocol adherence suggests one path forward. But Mamdani's campaign represents another approach entirely – using city politics as a platform for international advocacy.The question we should be asking isn't whether cities should engage with national and international issues – that ship has sailed. Instead, we need to consider how they can do so effectively while still serving their primary constituency: local residents.From my vantage point, these stories reflect a broader trend in American politics: the increasing difficulty of maintaining clear boundaries between local, national, and international governance. As cities continue to assert themselves on the global stage, these tensions will only become more pronounced.But perhaps that's not entirely a bad thing. After all, democracy has always been messy, complicated, and full of contradictions. Maybe these local-global tensions are just democracy's latest growing pains.