New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) has faced mounting criticism following his decision to appoint Cea Weaver as executive director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants. The appointment, announced last week, has ignited controversy after resurfaced social media posts from Weaver previously described homeownership as “a weapon of white supremacy masquerading as ‘wealth building public policy’” and demanded that landlords “impoverish the white middle class.”
Weaver’s controversial remarks, which she deleted in 2019, have been widely circulated since her appointment. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and former Mayor Eric Adams have criticized the posts as reflecting “extreme privilege and total detachment from reality,” while condemning Mamdani’s choice.
Mamdani defended his decision, stating that his administration was aware of Weaver’s past comments but emphasized her record of tenant advocacy. He noted that Weaver previously led the Housing Justice for All coalition and has been instrumental in advancing what he calls “precedent-setting” housing enforcement measures.
The controversy underscores broader tensions within Mamdani’s administration over controversial appointments. Since taking office, the mayor has faced scrutiny for selecting individuals with contentious backgrounds, including a convicted armed robber for a public safety advisory role and a lawyer known for representing terrorism suspects during his transition period.
Mamdani’s push to crack down on landlords through aggressive legal tactics has also drawn criticism. The administration recently moved against a Brooklyn landlord amid bankruptcy proceedings, signaling an intention to seize properties from owners deemed negligent. Landlord groups and city officials have raised concerns about the legality, cost, and economic impact of such actions.
