### Controversy Erupts as Key Mamdani Appointee Resigns Over Antisemitic Past Catherine Almonte Da Costa, recently appointed as the Director of Appointments for New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, resigned just one day after her appointment due to the resurfacing of antisemitic social media posts from over a decade ago. The posts, which included derogatory remarks about Jewish people, sparked immediate backlash and raised questions about accountability in public service. Da Costa, who is married to a Jewish man and has Jewish children, expressed remorse for her past comments, stating, "As the mother of Jewish children, I feel a profound sense of sadness and remorse at the harm these words have caused" [https://fortune.com/2025/12/19/top-advisor-zohran-mamdani-resigns-antisemitic-posts-jewish-children]. ### Breakdown of Events Leading to Resignation 1. **Appointment Announcement**: - Catherine Almonte Da Costa was appointed as the Director of Appointments for Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on December 18, 2025 [https://www.apnews.com/article/zohran-mamdani-appointee-antisemitism-da5a1d3cf75b540d3600c74a0daeb9c8]. 2. **Resurfacing of Past Posts**: - Shortly after her appointment, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) flagged several of Da Costa's past social media posts from 2011 and 2012 that contained antisemitic tropes, including references to "money hungry Jews" and derogatory comments about Jewish people [https://thedailybs.com/2025/12/19/top-mamdani-pick-out-after-single-day-on-job-as-antisemitic-past-resurfaces]. 3. **Immediate Backlash**: - The resurfacing of these posts led to significant public outcry and criticism directed at both Da Costa and Mamdani, who has faced scrutiny for his own controversial statements in the past [https://www.world-today-news.com/zohran-mamdani-appointee-catherine-almonte-da-costa-resigns-over-antisemitic-posts]. 4. **Resignation Statement**: - Da Costa resigned on December 19, 2025, expressing deep regret for her past comments and acknowledging the harm they caused [https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/12/18/recently-appointed-mamdani-official-abruptly-resigns-as-antisemitic-tweets-unearthed]. ### Supporting Evidence of the Incident - **Timeline of Events**: - December 18, 2025: Da Costa appointed as Director of Appointments [https://www.apnews.com/article/zohran-mamdani-appointee-antisemitism-da5a1d3cf75b540d3600c74a0daeb9c8]. - December 19, 2025: Resignation following backlash from resurfaced posts [https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mum-two-jewish-children-resigns-new-nyc-role-after-old-antisemitic-posts-resurface-1764104]. - **Content of Resurfaced Posts**: - Posts included phrases like "money hungry Jews" and references to a subway route as the "Jew train," which the ADL described as classic antisemitic tropes [https://thedailybs.com/2025/12/19/top-mamdani-pick-out-after-single-day-on-job-as-antisemitic-past-resurfaces]. ### Conclusion: Implications of the Resignation The resignation of Catherine Almonte Da Costa highlights significant issues regarding the vetting process for public officials and the impact of past social media behavior on current political appointments. 1. **Immediate Consequences**: - Da Costa's resignation reflects the growing intolerance for antisemitism and the demand for accountability among public officials [https://www.jta.org/2025/12/18/politics/mamdani-appointee-resigns-over-past-antisemitic-online-posts-about-money-hungry-jews]. 2. **Broader Political Context**: - This incident may affect Mamdani's administration as it prepares for its upcoming term, raising questions about the selection process for key positions and the potential for similar controversies in the future [https://www.indiaweekly.biz/mamdaniappointee-resigns-after-antisemitic-postsurfaces]. 3. **Public Sentiment**: - The swift action taken in response to the resurfaced posts indicates a societal shift towards greater scrutiny of public figures and their past actions, particularly regarding sensitive issues like antisemitism [https://www.aol.com/articles/mamdani-appointee-resigns-nyc-position-000758054.html]. In summary, the rapid resignation of Da Costa serves as a cautionary tale for future appointees and highlights the importance of thorough background checks in public service roles.