Mamdani’s early staff picks signal leftward tilt for New York City administration
As mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani builds his team, critics warn of a shift toward a left-led City Hall, citing past records and controversial appointments.
A New York Post analysis of Zohran Mamdani’s initial staffing choices portrays a City Hall increasingly oriented toward the left, blending longtime de Blasio-era aides with figures drawn from the national hard-left movement. The piece argues that while some Blasio alumni remain, they are not moderates so much as the least radioactive within a broader, more radical slate. The assessment emphasizes that the transition appears to be designed to prioritize labor activism, social-justice priorities, and expansive government programs as Mamdani prepares to take office in January.
Jahmila Edwards, named to head the Mayor’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations, is described as a veteran of DC 37 who would steer city interactions with state and local officials through a labor-centered lens. Catherine Almonte Da Costa, appointed director of appointments, suddenly withdrew after a record of antisemitic and anti-police tweets surfaced, a development the piece uses to illustrate concerns about vetting and ideological alignment within Mamdani’s camp.
On Friday, Mamdani announced Julie Su as deputy mayor for economic justice, described by the piece as a pro-union progressive who, in the article’s framing, allowed billions in fraud during her oversight of California’s unemployment benefits and faced Senate opposition to a Biden administration Labor secretary nomination as too radical. The post labels her a figure whose administration would emphasize worker protections and aggressive enforcement of labor standards, fueling concern among critics about potential overreach and fiscal risk.
The paper also flags Ramzi Kassem as a top legal adviser candidate, noting his past defense of an al Qaeda suspect and, in its wording, a controversial Columbia activist. Another option cited is Steven Banks, a self-described “social justice attorney” who, as de Blasio’s homeless czar, increased spending while homelessness in the city continued to rise. These choices are cited as evidence that Mamdani intends to pursue a more expansive, left-leaning legal and policy agenda from the outset.
Rumors that Mamdani might retain Dan Garodnick from Eric Adams’ administration have faded, while Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro has been told to clear out. The article contends this signals a broader turnover aimed at injecting ideological cohesion into the executive team, rather than a mere reshuffle of familiar faces. The piece notes Jessica Tisch’s continuation as police commissioner provides a rare moment of cautious optimism amid a broader shift; yet it also states Mamdani has not disavowed his longstanding anti-police and anti-cop rhetoric, leaving the tenure of Tisch in question as 2026 approaches.
Taken together, the account portrays a City Hall braintrust that would be far to the left of Gotham’s previous leadership under Bill de Blasio, with the remainder of the administration positioned toward an ambitious, if contested, social-democratic project. Critics say the tone and priorities could complicate governance, bargaining with state officials, and the city’s ability to maintain a pragmatic footing on issues ranging from public safety to budgetary constraints. Supporters, by contrast, argue the city needs a bold, progressive reform agenda to address long-standing inequalities and systemic failures. The New York Post piece—published December 21, 2025, and anchored in a December 17, 2025 press conference in New York City—frames Mamdani’s staffing choices as a clear signal of how his administration intends to operate over the coming four years, though it also notes that many specifics remain to be seen as appointments solidify and policy directions take shape.