Sen. Bill Cassidy has initiated a probe into New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration due to “serious concerns” of scaling back executive orders related to antisemitism and boycotts of Israel.
Mr. Cassidy, Louisiana Republican and chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, addressed the city’s socialist mayor in a Thursday letter inquiring about compliance with federal civil rights requirements.
On his first day in office, Mr. Mamdani rescinded a previous executive order that had adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, a reversal that was met with swift criticism.
“Decisions by your administration that weaken established safeguards for Jewish students in New York and are out of alignment with federal executive orders warrant careful scrutiny,” Mr. Cassidy said.
The New York City Department of Education expected that $2.2 billion in federal funding for its annual operating budget could be put in jeopardy.
A federal order directs federal agencies to consider the IHRA definition when enforcing federal civil rights protections. But eliminating New York City’s corresponding executive order risks misalignment with federal antisemitism policy, Mr. Cassidy wrote.
“Continued eligibility for this funding is contingent on compliance with federal civil rights laws and applicable executive orders designed to protect students,” he said.
The GOP chairman asked Mr. Mamdani to explain how revoking the order will “protect Jewish students,” what future actions will “combat antisemitism at schools” and how antisemitism complaints will be identified, investigated and remedied.
Mr. Cassidy gave the mayor until Feb. 19 to address his questions.
Mr. Mamdani’s outspoken criticism of Israel raised alarm bells for many Jews in New York City, home to America’s largest Jewish population.
But he has vowed to protect Jewish New Yorkers, telling reporters in January that antisemitism is “an issue that we take very seriously and as part of the commitment that we’ve made to Jewish New Yorkers: to not only protect them, but to celebrate and cherish them.”
Also on Thursday, Mr. Mamdani endorsed New York Gov. Kathy Hochul for reelection, offering the Democrat a boost against her more liberal opponent, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado.
In an op-ed in The Nation, Mr. Mamdani said that while the two do not agree on everything, he has “come to trust Governor Hochul as someone willing to engage in an honest dialogue that leads to results.”
The endorsement represents a milestone in their relationship, as they both find themselves at opposite ends of the Democratic political spectrum — Mr. Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, versus Ms. Hochul, a self-described moderate.
Ms. Hochul is facing a primary challenge from her own lieutenant governor, Mr. Delgado, but with Mr. Mamdani’s endorsement, his liberal fanbase could be swayed to the governor.
• Mary McCue Bell can be reached at mbell@washingtontimes.com.
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