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Incoming NYC Mayor Appoints Controversial Attorney as Chief Counsel
Socialist New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has named Ramzi Kassem as the city’s chief counsel, sparking attention due to Kassem’s background defending high-profile and controversial clients, including al Qaeda terrorist Ahmed al-Darbi.
Mamdani, who takes office on January 1, announced the appointment Tuesday along with naming Steven Banks as corporation counsel and Helen Arteaga as deputy mayor for health and human services. Banks describes himself as a “social justice attorney,” further cementing the incoming administration’s progressive orientation.
Kassem brings significant experience to the role, having previously served as a senior policy advisor for immigration on the White House Domestic Policy Council during President Joe Biden’s administration. However, his legal career has included several controversial cases that are drawing scrutiny.
Most notably, Kassem acted as lead counsel in the defense of al-Darbi, who in 2014 pleaded guilty before a U.S. military commission to conspiracy connected to an al Qaeda plot to bomb the French oil tanker MV Limburg off Yemen’s coast. The attack resulted in one civilian death and several injuries. After al-Darbi’s conviction in 2017, the Trump administration transferred him to Saudi Arabian custody in 2018.
At the time of the transfer, Kassem expressed hope that repatriation would mark “the end of injustice for Ahmed,” noting his client had endured “16 long and painful years in captivity.”
More recently in 2025, Kassem represented Mahmoud Khalil, an anti-Israel activist and Columbia University student who was arrested by ICE for allegedly leading antisemitic demonstrations on campus. While Khalil has been released, his legal case remains ongoing.
In announcing the appointment, Mamdani praised Kassem’s experience and commitment, stating, “I will turn to Ramzi for his remarkable experience and his commitment to defending those too often abandoned by our legal system.” He added that “City Hall will be stronger with him in it, and our work of building a more prosperous city for all will have a powerful advocate.”
Mamdani, who will be inaugurated with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivering opening remarks and Sen. Bernie Sanders administering the oath of office, outlined his vision for New York under his leadership. “My sincere hope is that New Yorkers who have long felt on the margins of this city, the homeless veteran straining to survive, the patient searching for the care that they need, an immigrant trying to get by will feel that they now have leaders in their corner who understand their struggles and care to fight for them,” he said.
Kassem, who accepted the appointment with gratitude, spoke about his personal connection to New York City. “I grew up in war-torn countries in the Middle East, authoritarian regimes, and New York City was really my first stable and permanent home,” he said. “This is an opportunity for me to repay that debt. I’ve been trying to repay that debt ever since I came to this country, ever since I immigrated.”
Beyond his high-profile legal cases, Kassem is the founder of the Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR) law clinic. According to its website, the organization’s mandate is “to support Muslim and all other client, communities, and movements in the New York City area and beyond that are targeted by local, state, or federal government agencies under the guise of national security and counterterrorism.”
The appointment comes amid scrutiny of Mamdani’s transition team. The Anti-Defamation League has reportedly identified that approximately 20% of his transition appointees have anti-Zionist ties, raising questions about the incoming administration’s stance on Israel-related issues.
As Mamdani prepares to become the first socialist mayor of America’s largest city, his early appointments signal a significant leftward shift in New York’s governance and legal approach, likely setting the stage for potential conflicts with more centrist and conservative elements both within the city and nationally.
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12 Comments
It’s not surprising to see crypto exchanges facing operational challenges due to regulatory scrutiny. As the industry matures, clear and consistent rules will be crucial to protect consumers while allowing innovation to flourish. I wonder what other exchanges might do in response to this.
Increased regulatory oversight of the crypto industry is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can help build trust and address legitimate concerns. On the other, overly burdensome rules could stifle innovation. The key will be finding the right balance, which doesn’t seem easy based on this news.
The decision by OKX to discontinue services in Canada highlights the growing pains of the crypto sector. While regulation is necessary, it needs to be well-designed to support responsible development of the technology. I hope policymakers can find ways to foster innovation while also protecting consumers.
This news about OKX’s plans to discontinue services in Canada highlights the complex regulatory environment facing the crypto industry. While increased oversight is understandable, it’s important that rules are well-designed to support responsible development of the technology. I’ll be watching to see how other exchanges respond.
This move by OKX is a reminder that the crypto industry is still navigating uncharted regulatory waters. Exchanges will need to be agile and responsive to shifting rules, while also advocating for a balanced approach that allows the technology to mature. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
The regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies is clearly in flux, as this news about OKX demonstrates. While increased oversight is warranted, it’s important that policymakers strike the right balance to support responsible innovation in this space. I wonder what other exchanges might do in response.
Discontinuing services in Canada due to ‘operational challenges’ sounds like a difficult decision for OKX. The crypto industry is facing heightened scrutiny, and exchanges will need to carefully navigate the evolving regulatory landscape. I hope policymakers can find ways to foster innovation while also protecting consumers.
Regulatory scrutiny of crypto exchanges is understandable given the rapid growth and potential risks in the industry. However, it’s important to strike the right balance between oversight and enabling innovation. I’m curious to see how OKX and other players adapt to the changing rules.
The discontinuation of OKX’s services in Canada is another sign of the heightened regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies. While increased oversight is necessary, it will be important to ensure a fair and transparent framework that supports responsible development of this emerging technology.
This is an interesting development in the ongoing regulatory scrutiny of the crypto industry. Discontinuing services in Canada due to ‘operational challenges’ suggests OKX is facing increasing compliance hurdles. It will be worth watching how other exchanges respond to the evolving regulatory landscape.
The crypto industry seems to be navigating a complex regulatory environment, both globally and in specific markets. This move by OKX highlights the need for exchanges to carefully consider their operations and compliance frameworks, especially as oversight increases.
You’re right, the regulatory landscape for crypto is rapidly evolving. Exchanges will need to be agile and responsive to avoid disruptions to their user services.