A significant shakeup in Zohran Mamdani’s administration occurred just after Catherine Almonte Da Costa was appointed as director of appointments. Her resignation, prompted by resurfaced social media posts, has raised serious questions about the vetting process in Mamdani’s upcoming government.
Da Costa’s inflammatory comments about Jewish people and white individuals sparked outrage. The Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey shared screenshots of her posts, revealing phrases that have been described as “classic antisemitic tropes.” One post from 2011 referred to Jews as “money hungry,” while another labeled a train line as the “Jew train.” In 2016, Da Costa voiced that it was important “that white people feel defeated,” a remark that attracted criticism in the wake of political tensions.
Her past association with former Mayor Bill de Blasio and her marriage to city deputy comptroller Ricky Da Costa, who is Jewish, only added layers to the story. In her statement regarding her resignation, Da Costa expressed remorse for her comments, apologizing and describing them as not representative of her identity, especially as a mother of Jewish children. She noted that keeping her position would detract from the necessary work ahead.
In light of this incident, Mamdani has stated that his administration will implement stricter vetting protocols. He condemned Da Costa’s remarks as “reprehensible” and accepted her resignation. This swift action appears calculated to curb negative press as he prepares to assume office, reflecting an awareness of the public’s sensitivity around such issues.
However, this does not erase concerns about Mamdani’s own statements regarding Israel and the Jewish community. His previous comments elicited backlash, particularly when he failed to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” likening it to historic resistance against Nazi oppression. His resistance to policing language and his insistence that “there’s no room for anti-Semitism in this city” have led many to doubt his commitment to those words.
The departure of Da Costa can be seen as a positive step in addressing troubling narratives within Mamdani’s administration. It shows a willingness to confront the fallout from offensive remarks, yet skepticism about Mamdani’s stance on anti-Semitism continues to linger. With his inauguration approaching, the pressure is on Mamdani to prove that he can lead with both integrity and sensitivity towards the diverse fabric of New York City’s population.
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