NEW YORK, NEW YORK — An appointee to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s incoming administration resigned Thursday after decade-old social media posts containing antisemitic tropes resurfaced, prompting swift condemnation and renewed scrutiny of the mayor-elect’s early personnel decisions.
Catherine Almonte Da Costa, who had been selected this week to lead Mamdani’s office of appointments, stepped down after the Anti-Defamation League shared posts she wrote in 2011 and 2012 that it said echoed classic antisemitic stereotypes. In a statement, Da Costa expressed regret, saying the posts do not reflect who she is today and apologizing for the harm they caused. She noted that she is the mother of Jewish children and described the episode as deeply painful.
Mamdani accepted the resignation, confirming through a spokesperson that Da Costa tendered her resignation after acknowledging the impact of her past remarks. The mayor-elect said her departure was appropriate given the circumstances.
The episode comes as Mamdani, who takes office next month, faces heightened attention over his positions on Israel and Gaza. While he has been sharply critical of Israel’s military actions, he has sought to draw a clear line between that criticism and antisemitism. Jewish advocacy groups have closely monitored his transition, with the ADL previously announcing tools to track policies and personnel tied to the new administration.
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