Mamdani Says He’ll Step Up Vetting, Apologizes For Hiring Antisemite

New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, facing renewed criticism over his handling of antisemitism on his team,  acknowleded Friday that his transition team failed to uncover past antisemitic social media posts by a senior appointee, The Forward’s Jacob Kornbluh report.

Speaking to reporters, Mamdani addressed the Jewish community. “My hope is that in leading this city that it will be a city where Jewish New Yorkers are not only safe to leave their homes and go to work and to spend their lives as they would like to, but also in celebrating their own faith,” he said.

The remarks came amid fallout from the resignation of Catherine Almonte Da Costa, whom Mamdani had appointed as director of appointments before her past posts referring to “money hungry Jews” surfaced publicly.

Mamdani said he was “not aware” of Almonte Da Costa’s prior antisemitic statements and claimed he “would not have hired her” had he known about them. The revelation has fueled criticism that his transition team’s vetting process was inadequate at a time when antisemitic incidents are a major concern for Jewish communities in the city.

In response to the controversy, Mamdani said changes are being made to how his administration reviews potential hires. “Our administration will operate under a standard of excellence, and setting that standard is … also about holding yourself accountable when you are not doing so,” he told reporters.

Critics argue that the episode raises serious questions about Mamdani’s judgment and priorities, particularly given the sensitivity of antisemitism in New York and the symbolic importance of staffing decisions early in an incoming administration. For some Jewish leaders and observers, the assurances offered during Chanukah have been overshadowed by what they view as a preventable failure that only came to light after public exposure, rather than internal accountability.