A senior official appointed to incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's transition team resigned just one day after her appointment, following the emergence of past antisemitic statements she made on social media over a decade ago.
Resignation Follows Swift Backlash
Catherine Almonte Da Costa, who was named as Mamdani's director of appointments on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, stepped down on Thursday. Her resignation came after U.S. media, including NBC News, reported on offensive posts from an old Twitter account dating back to 2011. The posts were reportedly uncovered by The Judge Street Journal newsletter.
Da Costa had appeared alongside the mayor-elect at a press conference to announce her role. In a statement to an online outlet, she expressed deep regret. "I spoke with the Mayor-elect this afternoon, apologized, and expressed my deep regret for my past statements. These statements are not indicative of who I am," Da Costa said.
Apology and Acknowledgment of Harm
She specifically addressed the impact of her words, tying her remorse to her personal life. "As the mother of Jewish children, I feel a profound sense of sadness and remorse at the harm these words have caused," Da Costa stated. "As this has become a distraction from the work at hand, I have offered my resignation."
Among the posts cited was one from January 4, 2011, which allegedly read, "Money hungry Jews smh (shaking my head)." The account, which contained several other antisemitic tropes, is no longer accessible online. Mamdani's transition team has not publicly commented on the resignation.
Scrutiny on Incoming Administration
The incident casts an early shadow on the administration of Zohran Mamdani, who is set to be sworn in on January 1. The Muslim mayor-elect faced repeated accusations of antisemitism during his campaign due to his vocal support for the Palestinian cause. Conservative figures had already vowed to closely scrutinize his administration.
This episode highlights the intense scrutiny public officials face regarding their past social media activity and the rapid consequences that can follow in the modern political landscape. The resignation underscores the challenges Mamdani's team may encounter as they prepare to take office in one of the world's most prominent cities.
