Mayor Mamdani Signs Only One Law in 10 Months, Critics Cite Social Media Focus
With nearly 100 bills enacted by default, questions arise about the mayor's priorities amidst prolific social media activity.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has signed only one bill into law in his first 10 months in office, a statistic that has drawn criticism from those who suggest his administration is prioritizing social media engagement over legislative duties. This sole piece of legislation, signed in August, allows for year-round outdoor dining on city sidewalks.
Mamdani, who turned 35 in October, has seen nearly 100 other City Council-passed bills become law through the process of "returned unsigned." This mechanism automatically enacts a bill if it sits on the mayor's desk for four weeks without a signature or veto. This approach contrasts sharply with his predecessors, who had signed significantly more laws by the same point in their terms. Former Mayor Eric Adams had signed 30 laws, Bill de Blasio had signed 47, and Mike Bloomberg had signed 28.
Sources close to City Hall suggest that Mamdani and his staff are "obsessed with becoming a content farm," allegedly delaying governmental meetings to focus on creating social media content. One source described the situation as "lots of laughs, and very little work," with the mayor's office reportedly pitching comedy sketches more frequently than government initiatives.
The "returned unsigned" process is typically used by mayors to protest legislation or to avoid association with a bill they intend to veto. However, Mamdani has utilized this method for bills that align with his progressive agenda, including one requiring sanctuary rules to be posted at schools and city-owned buildings, which was introduced in February and automatically enacted in June. This bill was a key initiative of his ally, Councilwoman Alexa Aviles.
Mamdani's personal engagement in social media is frequent, with multiple TikTok videos posted daily. These online activities have sometimes generated significant headlines, even as pending legislation languished on his desk. For example, in July, Mamdani publicly called Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu a "war criminal" and explored avenues for his arrest in New York City. During that same period, bills awaiting his signature included measures for the wellness of elderly New Yorkers during heatwaves, an expansion of free childcare programs, and a rent-assistance program.
This pattern of inaction has led to speculation about Mamdani's governing priorities. Some critics suggest he favors executive orders and public displays that perform well on social media over the detailed work of legislative approval. Others have characterized the approach as "lazy government," citing a reluctance to take definitive stances on issues and a lack of practical execution in the legislative process.
Former City Council member Diana Ayala expressed bewilderment at the situation, noting that the neglected bills often represented Mamdani's own initiatives. She suggested that signing these bills would demonstrate goodwill and alignment on key issues. A former City Hall staffer commented that governing by TikTok is easier than fulfilling the duties of the mayoral office, and that important legislative matters have not been translated into compelling social media content.
City Hall did not respond to requests for comment regarding these criticisms.