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One of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s newly announced appointees resigned just one day into the role after old social media posts resurfaced containing antisemitic language.
Catherine Almonte Da Costa, who had been named Director of Appointments, submitted her resignation Tuesday afternoon, only hours after the posts became public. In a statement announcing her departure, Da Costa said, “As the mother of Jewish children, I feel a profound sense of sadness and remorse at the harm these words have caused.” She added, “As this has become a distraction from the work at hand, I have offered my resignation.”
The resignation followed reporting by the Judge Street Journal, which highlighted several social media posts attributed to Da Costa that invoked antisemitic tropes. Among the statements cited were: “Money hungry Jews smh”; “Woo! Promoted to the upstairs office today! Working alongside these rich Jewish peeps.”; and “Far Rockaway train is the Jew train.”
According to the outlet, the posts were made years earlier and were brought to public attention shortly after Da Costa’s appointment was announced. After the posts were reported, Da Costa deleted her X account.
The swift resignation underscores the scrutiny facing the Mamdani administration as it assembles its leadership team and responds to concerns over antisemitism and public accountability.