Senate Launches Investigation Into NYC’s Mayor Mamdani

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy (La.) announced Thursday that he is launching a probe into Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, citing concerns that the mayor’s recent actions have weakened protections against antisemitism and could place Jewish New Yorkers at risk.

Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, said the inquiry follows Mamdani’s decision earlier this year not to renew two executive orders issued by his predecessor, former Mayor Eric Adams (D). Those orders had expanded the city’s definition of antisemitism and restricted city officials from participating in the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

According to Politico, Mamdani declined in January to renew a June 2025 executive order signed by Adams that adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism for city agencies. That definition, which has been embraced by multiple U.S. administrations and dozens of countries, includes certain forms of anti-Israel rhetoric when it crosses into antisemitic conduct.

Mamdani also allowed a separate executive order signed by Adams in December 2025 to expire. That order prohibited New York City officials from participating in or promoting BDS activities targeting Israel, a movement critics argue unfairly singles out the Jewish state and has contributed to rising hostility toward Jewish communities.

In a letter sent Wednesday to Mamdani, Cassidy said he has “serious concerns” about the rescission of the two executive orders, particularly given New York City’s reliance on federal education funding.

Cassidy noted that as of June 2025, the New York City Department of Education’s operating budget included approximately $2.2 billion in federal funds. He warned that continued eligibility for that funding depends on compliance with federal civil rights laws and executive actions intended to protect students from discrimination.

“The continued eligibility for this funding is contingent on compliance with federal civil rights laws and applicable executive orders designed to protect students,” Cassidy wrote.

“New York City is home to the largest Jewish community outside of Israel, with approximately 1.77 million Jewish residents—about 9.1 percent of the state’s total population,” Cassidy continued. “Strong leadership against antisemitism and discrimination is essential to the safety and security of Jewish New Yorkers. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), I find it deeply troubling that one of your first official acts as mayor was to revoke two executive orders designed to protect students and combat antisemitism.”

Cassidy emphasized that his concerns are tied to student safety and federal oversight responsibilities, rather than partisan ideology.

“It is my job to ensure every student feels safe, and at a time when Jewish students feel scared, I am concerned your actions will only exacerbate their fears,” he wrote.

In a statement posted Thursday on X, Cassidy reiterated that public officials have a responsibility to protect those under their authority, regardless of political affiliation.

“Whatever somebody’s ideological background, if they’re in a position of responsibility, they must protect their citizens,” Cassidy wrote. “Clearly, antisemitism has been on the rise. We must respond to real dangers directed at Jewish students.”

Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has faced mounting criticism from Jewish organizations and pro-Israel advocates over his rhetoric and policy positions related to Israel. He has also drawn backlash for previously declining to explicitly condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which many Jewish groups and lawmakers view as a call to violence against Jewish people.

The probe comes amid broader national debates over antisemitism on college campuses and in K-12 education, as well as growing scrutiny from congressional Republicans over how federal funds are used by state and local governments. Cassidy’s committee has jurisdiction over education policy and civil rights enforcement tied to federal education dollars.

Cassidy’s investigation into Mamdani comes as the Louisiana Senator faces an uphill primary battle against Trump-endorsed challenger Julia Letlow. Early polling has indicated Letlow holds a serious advantage over the incumbent. Cassidy was one of seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial following the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

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