Mayor Zohran Mamdani is accused of consolidating control over New York City institutions to advance his political agenda, a strategy that critics suggest may be pushing the limits of the law. The mayor, described as an ideologue and a "sensible man" by political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli, is reportedly using his authority to build a political base that could extend beyond his current term.
Mamdani's influence within the city's Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chapter is seen as a key component of his strategy. The DSA has been instrumental in supporting candidates and causes, with tens of thousands of volunteers marshaled for his initiatives. This organizational power has now been integrated into city government through the Office of Mass Engagement.
Tenant Organizing and Housing Policy
The commissioner of the Office of Mass Engagement, Tascha Van Auken, and the mayor's housing czar, Cea Weaver, both identified as DSA leaders, have reportedly engaged in organizing tenants within buildings. The office is also reportedly using taxpayer funds to produce documentaries on tenant organizing. Concerns have been raised about whether these activities comply with the Conflicts of Interest Board rules, which prohibit the use of city resources for non-city purposes.
Mamdani's housing plan includes seizing buildings from "bad actors" and transferring them to entities like nonprofits. Critics question whether nonprofit or government-controlled housing would necessarily lead to better conditions, pointing to issues within the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) as a counterexample. The stated goal for the DSA appears to be the creation of reliable voting blocs through tenant unions and the nonprofit sector.
Rent Guidelines Board Appointments
A significant point of contention is Mamdani's appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB). The mayor's appointees reportedly voted for a rent freeze, despite research indicating a 5.3% increase in landlord costs between April 2025 and March 2026. The city's administrative code mandates that RGB members consider such costs when determining rent increases, aiming to balance various interests. A lawsuit has been filed challenging the RGB's decision as arbitrary and unlawfully predetermined. If successful, legal action could grant the mayor de facto power over stabilized rent increases, potentially undermining existing statutes.
Judicial Appointments and Conflicts of Interest
Mamdani's approach to judicial appointments has also drawn scrutiny. While the Advisory Committee on the Judiciary is responsible for recommending candidates for criminal and family court judgeships, the mayor initially did not appoint members to this body. However, he appointed his election lawyer, Ali Najmi, as its head on his second day in office. Later, Mamdani and Najmi rejected the nomination of Appellate Division Justice John Leventhal, a decision that has raised questions, though Mamdani has denied any role related to Leventhal's Jewish identity.
The appointment of Najmi, whose firm practices law in city criminal courts, to chair the judicial screening committee has created concerns about conflicts of interest and the appearance of impropriety. Najmi is also representing the family of a victim in a lawsuit against the city following a Central Park horse-carriage incident. This dual role could create the perception that city officials might feel pressured to offer a favorable settlement to influence the outcome of the case, potentially benefiting Najmi's firm through contingency fees.
Mayor's Fund Advisory Board
In another move, Mamdani recently disbanded the advisory board of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, a nonprofit entity that solicits private donations for the mayor's initiatives. While the fund's diminished capacity since the Bloomberg administration was noted, the abrupt dissolution of its advisory body has been characterized as antagonistic toward the city's business leaders. This action is seen as part of a broader strategy to reshape city power structures by controlling board memberships.
The author of the notes, John Ketcham, is director of cities and a legal policy fellow at the Manhattan Institute.