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→Mayor of New York City
==Mayor of New York City==
==Mayor of New York City==
Mamdani was sworn in taking the [[oath]] on the [[Koran]] as Mayor of [[New York City]] by [[Letitia James]] on January 1, 2025.<ref>https://justthenews.com/government/mamdani-promises-govern-expansively-and-audaciously-inaugural-address</ref>
Mamdani was sworn in taking the [[oath]] on the [[Koran]] as Mayor of [[New York City]] by [[Letitia James]] on January 1, 2025.<ref>https://justthenews.com/government/mamdani-promises-govern-expansively-and-audaciously-inaugural-address</ref>
===Radical, bigoted staff===
Several appointments in New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration, which began on January 1, 2026, have drawn widespread criticism over alleged ties to [[racism]], [[antisemitism]], [[Islamism]], radical anti-Israel activism, and the legal defense of convicted terrorists.
One of the most controversial appointments was [[Arab]] Ramzi Kassem, a [[CUNY]] School of Law professor named as the city’s Chief Counsel. Kassem previously served as lead defense attorney for Ahmed Ghailani al-Darbi, an [[al-Qaeda]] operative who pleaded guilty to involvement in the 2002 bombing of a French oil tanker. Kassem has also represented numerous Guantanamo Bay detainees and other terrorism-related defendants. Critics argue that appointing an attorney with a history of defending Islamist militants to oversee New York City’s legal affairs raises serious concerns about public safety and judgment.<ref>{{cite news |title=NYC Mayor Mamdani appoints lawyer who represented al-Qaeda member as chief counsel |url=https://nypost.com/2025/12/20/nyc-mayor-mamdani-appoints-lawyer-who-represented-al-qaeda-member-as-chief-counsel/ |publisher=New York Post |date=December 20, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mamdani taps 'terror lawyer' Ramzi Kassem for top legal post |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mamdani-taps-terror-lawyer-top-legal-post |publisher=Fox News |date=December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Outrage over Mamdani's appointment of al-Qaeda-linked attorney |url=https://www.dailywire.com/news/outrage-mamdani-al-qaeda-attorney |publisher=The Daily Wire |date=December 2025}}</ref>
The administration also faced immediate scrutiny after Catherine Almonte Da Costa, appointed Director of Appointments, resigned less than 24 hours into the role. Her resignation followed the resurfacing of social media posts containing antisemitic stereotypes, including comments portraying Jews as “money hungry.” The incident fueled criticism over inadequate vetting and tolerance of extremist rhetoric within the administration.<ref>{{cite news |title=Top Mamdani appointee steps down amid antisemitism scandal |url=https://nypost.com/2025/12/18/top-mamdani-appointee-steps-down-antisemitism/ |publisher=New York Post |date=December 18, 2025}}</ref>
In December 2025, the Anti-Defamation League ([[ADL]]) released a report concluding that at least 20 percent of Mamdani’s more than 400 transition team members had documented histories of bigotry, including affiliations with antisemitic, anti-Zionist, or anti-Israel organizations. According to the ADL, some of these groups have openly promoted or excused terrorism and engaged in harassment of Jewish individuals and institutions. The findings prompted alarm among Jewish leaders and policy analysts.<ref>{{cite news |title=ADL report claims over 20% of Mamdani transition members have extremist ties |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2025/12/zohran-mamdani-appointees-anti-defamation-league-report/ |publisher=Jewish Insider |date=December 22, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=At least 20% of Mamdani appointees tied to anti-Zionist groups, ADL says |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-least-20-of-mamdani-appointees-have-ties-to-anti-zionist-groups-adl-says/ |publisher=The Times of Israel |date=December 23, 2025}}</ref>
The [[New York Post]] highlighted additional concerns, citing that several key staff members had past associations with radical figures, including praise for Louis Farrakhan and ties to groups that openly advocate for anti-Israel protests. The Post reported that these staff members were involved in organizing or supporting actions that included antisemitic rhetoric, causing alarm among the Jewish community.<ref>{{cite news |title=Radical figures among Mamdani staff spark alarm |url=https://nypost.com/2025/12/22/radical-figures-among-mamdani-staff-spark-alarm/ |publisher=New York Post |date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>
Additional transition figures were cited for past praise of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and participation in anti-Israel protests widely criticized for antisemitic rhetoric. Critics argue that these repeated controversies reflect a broader ideological permissiveness toward extremism within Mamdani’s political circle, raising concerns about governance, public trust, and the city’s commitment to combating hate.<ref>{{cite news |title=ADL calls out Mamdani adviser's past praise for Farrakhan |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/12/22/adl-report-on-antisemitism-calls-out-mamdani-transition-advisers-praise-for-farrakhan/ |publisher=New York Daily News |date=December 22, 2025}}</ref>
==See also==
==See also==