Following right-wing Democrat Julie Menin’s victory in the race for City Council Speaker, we spoke with Brandon West, a former member of the City Council’s central staff, about how Menin and her supporters outmaneuvered progressives, the powers she will wield as speaker and how she might try to obstruct Zohran Mamdani when he is mayor. 

Dec. 2, 2025: Brandon West Talks About New Council Speaker Julie Menin & The Power She Will Wield

The Indypendent News Hour airs Tuesdays 5–6 p.m. on WBAI-99.5 FM. Check out our archives to listen to past interviews with movement organizers, authors, elected officials and others fighting for justice in New York City and beyond.