Top Mamdani Appointee Resigns After Antisemitic Posts Resurface
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Catherine Almonte Da Costa, recently appointed director of appointments for Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s incoming administration, abruptly resigned Thursday after old social media posts containing antisemitic remarks came to light. The posts, made between 2011 and 2012 on a now-deleted X account, included offensive references to “money hungry Jews” and derogatory comments about Jewish people, prompting widespread condemnation from advocacy groups and political figures.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of New York and New Jersey was among the first to raise concerns, highlighting the resurfaced posts that echoed classic antisemitic tropes. The ADL’s statement on X underscored the severity of the remarks, noting that such language is “indefensible” and called for immediate accountability not only from Da Costa but also from the mayor-elect himself. The ADL has long been a leading voice in combating hate speech and antisemitism, as detailed on their official site adl.org.
Da Costa issued a public apology, expressing deep regret for the statements and emphasizing that they do not reflect her current views. “As the mother of Jewish children, I feel a profound sense of sadness and remorse at the harm these words have caused,” she told the Judge Street Journal. She added that the controversy had become a distraction from the administration’s work, leading her to tender her resignation, which Mamdani accepted. The mayor-elect stated that Da Costa had expressed sincere remorse and that he respected her decision.
Before her brief appointment, Da Costa worked on the census team during former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration. Mamdani had intended for her to oversee the recruitment of top talent for his team, a role now left vacant amid the fallout. The controversy comes at a sensitive time for the city, which continues to grapple with issues of inclusion and community relations.
In addition to the antisemitic posts, other resurfaced comments from Da Costa included derogatory remarks about the New York Police Department, referring to officers as “NYPD piggies,” according to reports from the New York Post. The NYPD has been a central topic in New York politics, especially regarding community trust and public safety initiatives, as outlined by the NYPD official site.
The incident has sparked calls for stronger vetting processes in political appointments, with watchdog groups emphasizing the importance of accountability. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has previously highlighted the impact of public officials’ statements on marginalized communities and the need for vigilance against hate speech.
Zohran Mamdani, who is set to take office in early 2026, has faced scrutiny over other appointments as well, including controversy surrounding a transition team member with a criminal record. His administration’s approach to diversity and inclusion will be closely watched as it unfolds.
This episode underscores the enduring challenges posed by past social media activity in public life, especially when it involves discriminatory language. It also highlights the role of organizations like the ADL in monitoring and responding to hate speech in political spheres. The mayor-elect’s office has yet to announce a replacement for Da Costa, but officials have pledged to maintain a rigorous selection process moving forward.
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