A senior appointment in New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s incoming administration unraveled abruptly Thursday, after resurfaced social media posts revealed antisemitic and anti-police remarks made more than a decade ago. Catherine Almonte Da Costa, who had recently been tapped to serve as director of appointments, resigned just days after her selection, throwing Mamdani’s transition team into renewed controversy at a politically sensitive moment. The resignation came after the Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey publicly condemned posts attributed to Da Costa from 2011 and 2012, igniting backlash from advocacy groups, elected officials, and online commentators. The episode immediately raised questions about internal vetting, judgment, and preparedness as Mamdani prepares to take office amid heightened scrutiny.
According to reports, the posts originated from a now-deleted X account and contained multiple references widely recognized as antisemitic tropes. Among them were phrases such as “money hungry Jews” and “rich Jewish peeps,” along with a comment describing a Far Rockaway train as “the Jew train.” The ADL said these remarks reflected classic stereotypes historically used to demean Jewish people and foster discrimination. In its statement, the organization emphasized that the passage of time did not excuse the language, arguing that such rhetoric carries lasting harm regardless of when it was written. The group acknowledged that Da Costa has personal relationships within the Jewish community, but said those relationships did not negate the seriousness of the comments or the need for accountability.
Following the ADL’s statement, Da Costa moved quickly to delete her social media account and issue a public apology. Speaking to The Judge Street Journal, she said she had personally contacted Mayor-elect Mamdani to express regret and remorse. She emphasized that the statements did not reflect her current values or identity, describing the posts as deeply regrettable mistakes from her past. Da Costa also referenced her family, noting that she is the mother of Jewish children and saying the resurfacing of her words filled her with sadness and shame. Framing her resignation as an effort to avoid becoming a distraction, she said stepping down was the appropriate course of action under the circumstances.
Mamdani accepted the resignation without delay. In a brief statement, he confirmed that Da Costa had expressed remorse and voluntarily offered to step aside, an offer he chose to accept. While the mayor-elect did not elaborate further, the swift acceptance signaled an attempt to contain the fallout as his administration prepares to assume control of City Hall. Da Costa had been appointed only days earlier to oversee recruitment for senior roles across city government, a position central to shaping the leadership and culture of the incoming administration. Her departure leaves a key role vacant at a critical moment in the transition process.
The controversy marks the second significant challenge for Mamdani’s transition team in less than a week. Earlier, he faced criticism for appointing Mysonne Linen, a convicted armed robber, to his transition team, a move Mamdani defended as part of his commitment to rehabilitation and second chances. Critics, however, argued that the appointment reflected poor judgment and heightened concerns about governance standards. Together, the two episodes have fueled accusations that the transition process lacks sufficient vetting and strategic discipline, particularly as Mamdani prepares to lead the nation’s largest city under intense public and political scrutiny.
Da Costa’s resignation also adds to broader tensions surrounding Mamdani’s relationship with Jewish communities in New York. Jewish leaders have previously criticized him for what they view as insufficiently forceful responses to antisemitic rhetoric linked to protests and activist movements. Last month, a coalition of rabbis urged Mamdani to explicitly condemn the “Globalize the Intifada” slogan used at demonstrations following overseas terror attacks. While his office said he rejects all hate speech, the reluctance to directly denounce the phrase drew criticism. Against that backdrop, Da Costa’s departure underscores what some insiders describe as a turbulent and politically charged start to Mamdani’s mayoralty, with unresolved questions about leadership judgment, message discipline, and the challenges awaiting the new administration as it prepares to take office.
