A U.S. Senate committee has opened a formal investigation into New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over his decision to rescind multiple executive orders tied to antisemitism.
The probe was launched by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, which cited concerns that Mamdani’s actions may have weakened protections for Jewish residents and students.
Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) sent a letter to Mamdani demanding answers about the rollback of antisemitism related safeguards.
Cassidy warned that the decision could place up to $2.2 billion in federal funding at risk if New York City is found to be out of compliance with federal civil rights requirements.
“Antisemitism is not an abstract concern in New York City,” Cassidy wrote, calling it a lived reality for millions of residents and students.
He said decisions by the Mamdani administration that weaken protections for Jewish students warrant close federal scrutiny.
Cassidy also demanded assurances that Jewish students and residents will not have their civil rights compromised by city leadership.
Mamdani rescinded the executive orders on his first day in office.
The move nullified all executive orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams following Adams’ federal indictment.
Among the rescinded orders were measures banning city agencies from boycotting or divesting from Israel.
Also repealed was the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.
The IHRA definition classifies certain attacks on Israel’s legitimacy as antisemitic conduct.
Jewish advocacy groups immediately raised alarms following Mamdani’s decision, per the Conservative Brief.
Critics pointed to Mamdani’s past public support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement targeting Israel.
The Anti-Defamation League criticized Mamdani’s record.
Its chief executive, Jonathan Greenblatt, cited what he described as Mamdani’s long-standing, troubling record on issues affecting the Jewish community.
The Senate investigation comes amid a documented surge in antisemitic incidents nationwide and in New York City specifically.
Following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, antisemitic incidents spiked across the United States.
The ADL reported 1,437 antisemitic incidents in New York State in 2024.
That figure represented an 18% increase from 2023 and the highest total recorded by any state.
New York City police data shows anti-Jewish hate crimes nearly tripled in January 2026 compared to the same month a year earlier.
Cassidy’s letter warned that federal funding could be jeopardized if New York City fails to protect Jewish students under civil rights law.
The committee has the authority to examine compliance tied to education funding and anti-discrimination statutes.
