NYC Mayor Mamdani Criticized for Actions, 9/11 Ceremony Conduct

Betsy McCaughey called for federal investigation into New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, accusing him of weaponizing city government to target landlords and seize property, violating state law and the U.S. Constitution.

McCaughey cited Mamdani's new Office of Worker Power, announced on Labor Day, as a first-in-the-nation municipal initiative to push unionization and launch labor-law investigations in nonunionized workplaces. Mamdani unveiled his Block by Block housing initiative on May 26, which McCaughey described as calling for hyperaggressive code enforcement against 'negligent' property owners. Weeks later, his Office of Mass Engagement, with a $53 million taxpayer-funded staff, launched the "Talk to the Tenants" campaign, mobilizing tenants against landlords.

Tascha Van Auken, head of the Office of Mass Engagement, stated they are helping New Yorkers build the collective power to hold negligent landlords accountable. Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were seen smiling and greeting each other during the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, while names of victims were read and families cried.

This sparked online criticism, with Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas asking, "How the hell do you laugh while the names of those murdered on 9/11 are being read aloud?" Families of 9/11 victims had previously begged Mamdani not to attend the service, and a petition reportedly gathered 100,000 signatures. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who publicly opposed Mamdani's attendance, shook hands with Mamdani at the ceremony and told him, "I pray for you."

Giuliani had previously claimed Mamdani wants his religion to dominate them. Mamdani also faced scrutiny for past social media posts on July 4th, repeatedly sharing a photograph of a rap group whose members once released lyrics praising 9/11 hijacker Mohamed Atta. Mamdani, who became mayor at the beginning of the year, stated in an interview that democracy doesn’t work if people can’t afford their basic needs. Mamdani's office wished Jewish New Yorkers a happy Rosh Hashanah on X/Twitter on Friday.