Top Mamdani Appointee Resigns After Antisemitic Posts Resurface
A senior appointee in New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s incoming administration abruptly resigned Thursday after resurfaced social media posts revealed a pattern of antisemitic and anti-police remarks—raising fresh concerns about judgment, vetting, and ideological extremism within the Democrat Socialist’s transition team.
Catherine Almonte Da Costa, who had been selected to serve as Mamdani’s director of appointments, stepped down after the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of New York and New Jersey publicly condemned her past social media activity. The posts, reportedly made between 2011 and 2012 on a now-deleted X account, included references to “money hungry Jews,” “rich Jewish peeps,” and one remark describing 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 said in a statement Thursday. “Tweeting about ‘money hungry Jews’ is indefensible. We appreciate Da Costa has relationships with members of the Jewish community, but her posts require immediate explanation not just from Ms. Da Costa, but also from the mayor-elect.”
Following the ADL’s statement, Da Costa deleted her X account and issued an apology, saying she had contacted Mamdani directly to express regret. In comments to The Judge Street Journal, which first reported the story, Da Costa announced her resignation.
“I spoke with the mayor-elect this afternoon, apologized and expressed my deep regret for my past statements,” Da Costa 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. As this has become a distraction from the work at hand, I have offered my resignation.”
Mamdani accepted the resignation, telling the outlet: “Catherine expressed her deep remorse over her past statements and tendered her resignation, and I accepted.”
The fallout comes just days after Da Costa had been appointed to oversee recruitment for Mamdani’s administration—placing her in charge of identifying “top talent” for senior positions across city government. Her sudden exit marks the second major controversy to engulf Mamdani’s transition team in less than a week.
Earlier this week, Mamdani defended his decision to appoint convicted armed robber Mysonne Linen to his transition team, describing it as part of his “commitment to second chances.” Critics blasted the move as reckless, especially as Mamdani faces mounting scrutiny ahead of his January swearing-in.
Da Costa previously served in former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration, where she worked on outreach for the city’s 2020 Census. However, her resurfaced posts appear sharply at odds with the diversity and inclusion rhetoric Mamdani has emphasized throughout his campaign.
According to The New York Post, Da Costa also made derogatory remarks about law enforcement, including references to “NYPD piggies” and complaints about police salaries. The revelations sparked immediate backlash, with officials from both parties calling on Mamdani to act swiftly.
The resignation lands just days before Mamdani is set to take office as New York City’s next mayor. The 33-year-old Democratic Socialist, a former Queens assemblyman backed by progressive figures such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has already faced criticism from Jewish leaders who accuse him of tolerating antisemitic rhetoric within his political orbit.
Last month, a coalition of New York rabbis urged Mamdani to condemn the “Globalize the Intifada” slogan used at pro-Palestinian protests following the October terror attacks in Sydney. Mamdani’s office said at the time that he “rejects all hate speech,” but stopped short of explicitly denouncing the phrase.
Da Costa’s resignation adds to growing turmoil surrounding Mamdani’s transition, reinforcing concerns from critics who warn that the incoming administration is off to a chaotic and ideologically driven start.
The ADL said it had no further comment following Da Costa’s resignation. Mamdani’s team did not immediately respond to additional inquiries.