New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s newly appointed Director of Appointments resigned Thursday after old antisemitic posts on social media resurfaced, raising questions about the vetting process for top positions in his administration.
Catherine Almonte Da Costa, who had been tasked with overseeing the recruitment and appointment of key personnel, submitted her resignation just one day after her appointment. In a statement, she expressed “deep regret” for her past statements.
The posts, which date back more than a decade, included derogatory remarks about Jewish people, such as referring to “money hungry Jews” and making other antisemitic comments. The Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey highlighted the posts and demanded answers regarding whether Mamdani’s team had prior knowledge. The organization emphasized, “Her social media footprint includes posts from more than a decade ago that echo classic antisemitic tropes and otherwise demean Jewish people. Tweeting about ‘Money hungry Jews’ is indefensible.”
Mamdani in a statement said, “Catherine expressed her deep remorse over her past statements and tendered her resignation, and I accepted.”
Da Costa’s brief tenure was intended to place her at the center of staffing for the new administration, responsible for vetting and appointing senior officials. Her resignation underscores the scrutiny surrounding the selection of key roles and the challenges of assessing candidates’ past public statements in the digital age.
