Top Mamdani Appointee Resigns Following Antisemitic Social Media Controversy

Antisemitic Posts Force Resignation of Newly Appointed NYC Official

Catherine Almonte Da Costa has resigned from her position as director of appointments in Zohran Mamdani’s incoming New York City mayoral administration, following the discovery of antisemitic social media posts she made over a decade ago.

Da Costa stepped down Thursday after the Anti-Defamation League of New York/New Jersey raised concerns about posts she had made between 2011 and 2012 on a now-deleted X (formerly Twitter) account. The controversial posts included references to “money hungry Jews,” “rich Jewish peeps,” and referring to a Far Rockaway train as “the Jew train.”

“Her social media footprint includes posts from more than a decade ago that echo classic antisemitic tropes and otherwise demean Jewish people,” the ADL wrote in a statement on X. The organization called the posts “indefensible” and demanded an explanation from both Da Costa and Mayor-elect Mamdani.

In her resignation statement to the Judge Street Journal, which first reported the posts, Da Costa expressed remorse for her past comments. “I spoke with the mayor-elect this afternoon, apologized, and expressed my deep regret for my past statements,” she said. “These statements are not indicative of who I am. As the mother of Jewish children, I feel a profound sense of sadness and remorse at the harm these words have caused.”

Mamdani confirmed that he accepted the resignation, stating simply, “Catherine expressed her deep remorse over her past statements and tendered her resignation, and I accepted.”

Beyond the antisemitic remarks, additional resurfaced posts reportedly revealed derogatory comments toward the NYPD, including references to “NYPD piggies,” according to the New York Post.

The swift departure represents an early staffing setback for Mamdani’s administration, coming less than two weeks before his scheduled swearing-in as New York City mayor. Da Costa, who had previously worked in former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration on its census team, had been tapped by Mamdani to bring “top talent into this administration.”

This incident comes amid heightened sensitivity around antisemitism in New York City, which is home to the largest Jewish population in the United States outside of Israel. The city has seen a surge in antisemitic incidents since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023, according to NYPD hate crime statistics.

The controversy adds to existing concerns about the incoming Mamdani administration’s stance on Jewish issues. The mayor-elect has faced questions about his positions regarding Israel and has been urged by community leaders to condemn phrases like “globalize the intifada” in the wake of incidents like the recent attack in Sydney, Australia.

For Mamdani, who made history as the first South Asian mayor of America’s largest city, the resignation represents an early challenge in building his administration. Political analysts note that the vetting process for high-level appointments typically includes thorough social media reviews, raising questions about the thoroughness of the transition team’s background checks.

When reached for comment, both Mamdani’s office and the ADL declined to provide additional statements beyond their initial responses to the situation.

The incident highlights the increasing scrutiny of public officials’ social media histories, even posts made many years before entering government service. It also underscores the particular sensitivity surrounding antisemitism in New York City politics, where Jewish voters represent a significant and politically engaged constituency.