The newly appointed director of the Office of Appointments in Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s administration has resigned. This decision came after a controversy surrounding her past posts on the social media platform X.
Resignation Over Controversial Social Media Posts
Catherine (Cat) Almonte Da Costa was announced to take on this role just a day before her resignation. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) highlighted posts from Da Costa that they found to be antisemitic and demeaning toward Jewish individuals.
Timeline of Events
- Announcement: Da Costa appointed as director of the Office of Appointments.
- Resignation: One day later, she resigns following the resurfacing of controversial posts.
In her apology, Da Costa expressed deep regrets over her previous statements. She noted that the controversy had become a distraction, prompting her to resign. Mayor-elect Mamdani confirmed that he accepted her resignation.
Response from Mayor-elect Mamdani
Mamdani stated, “Catherine expressed her deep remorse over her past statements and tendered her resignation.” The ADL has questioned whether Mamdani was aware of Da Costa’s posts before her appointment, but the administration clarified that they had no prior knowledge of the posts.
Summary
This situation highlights the scrutiny public officials face regarding their past online behavior. The resignation of Da Costa may raise questions about the vetting process for appointed positions in the upcoming Mamdani administration.
