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Sen. Bill Cassidy, chair of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, launched a formal inquiry on Wednesday into New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s decision to roll back executive orders addressing antisemitism.
In a letter to City Hall, Cassidy warned that the move could place New York City out of alignment with federal civil rights policy. Cassidy pointed to NYPD statistics showing that antisemitic hate crimes in New York City surged 182% in January compared with the previous year, coinciding with Mayor Mamdani’s first month in office. He also cautioned that the decision may carry serious consequences for federal education funding.
Read the full text of the letter HERE.
Mamdani, who took office on January 1, immediately rescinded two executive orders signed by former Mayor Eric Adams. One order adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. The other barred city employees from participating in the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement targeting Israel.
Federal Civil Rights and Funding at Risk
Cassidy said rescinding the IHRA-related order weakened clear protections for Jewish students. He warned that the decision risked undermining enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in federally-funded education programs.
“Antisemitism is not an abstract concern in New York City; it is a lived reality for millions of students and residents, and its consequences are very serious,” Cassidy wrote. “Decisions by your administration that weaken established safeguards for Jewish students in New York and are out of alignment with federal executive orders warrant careful scrutiny.”
Cassidy also highlighted the city’s reliance on federal funding. As of June, New York City’s Department of Education budget included approximately $2.2 billion in federal support. Continued eligibility for that funding depends on compliance with federal civil rights law and applicable executive orders.
Cassidy gave Mamdani until February 19 to respond. He asked how revoking the executive orders improved protections for Jewish students. He also asked whether the city planned to adopt any alternative definition of antisemitism.
The senator sought clarity on how New York City schools would now handle antisemitism complaints. He questioned how cases would be identified, investigated, and resolved without the revoked guidance. Cassidy also requested information on whether City Hall consulted federal agencies before reversing the IHRA-related order.
In addition, Cassidy pressed the mayor to state his position on BDS. He asked directly whether Mamdani believed the movement was antisemitic.
City Hall did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Cassidy rejected arguments against the IHRA antisemitism definition, noting that governments, universities, international institutions, and nongovernmental organizations around the world widely recognize and encourage its use.
Mounting Tensions With Jewish Institutions
The inquiry comes amid broader tensions between the mayor and mainstream Jewish institutions. Mamdani has faced sustained criticism for supporting BDS. He has also refused in the past to denounce the slogan “Globalize the Intifada,” a phrase widely understood as endorsing violenc against Jews. He has further drawn backlash for criticizing lawmakers who attended New York City’s annual Israel Day Parade.
Cassidy said the issue extended beyond city politics. With antisemitism becoming increasingly normalized nationwide, he warned that dismantling established standards sent a dangerous signal. He added that the move raised serious questions about whether the nation’s largest school system remained fully aligned with federal protections for Jewish students.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
