New NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Revokes Adams Executive Orders, Shifts Focus to Housing

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has moved quickly to reshape city policy, revoking several executive orders signed by his predecessor and directing his administration to focus on housing initiatives as part of his first actions in office.

Mamdani signed the orders Thursday, just hours after his inauguration at City Hall. The actions rescinded executive directives issued by former Mayor Eric Adams after September 26, 2024, the date Adams was federally indicted. Those charges were later dismissed by a judge after the Trump administration sought to drop the case.

Among the revoked orders were directives that expanded the city’s definition of antisemitism to align with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition and prohibited city agencies from boycotting or divesting from Israel. Adams had signed those orders late in his term, citing concerns about antisemitism and support for Israel.

Speaking to reporters, Mamdani said new mayors have the authority to continue, amend, or revoke prior executive orders and argued his administration would protect Jewish New Yorkers without adopting overly broad definitions that some groups say restrict political expression. Mamdani said some Jewish organizations had also raised concerns about the expanded definition.

The move drew criticism from several Jewish organizations, including the UJA Federation of New York and the New York Board of Rabbis, which said the reversals removed important protections against antisemitism. Israel’s Foreign Ministry also accused Mamdani of fueling antisemitism. Other groups, including the New York Civil Liberties Union, praised the decision, arguing the previous orders were too broad and conflicted with free speech and sanctuary policies.

Mamdani did not eliminate all Adams-era antisemitism measures. The Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism will remain in place, though Mamdani plans to reorganize its structure.

In addition to revoking the orders, Mamdani signed new executive actions focused on housing, a central issue in his campaign. The orders require the city to analyze ways to accelerate housing development and to inventory city-owned land suitable for housing, with a report expected by the summer.

Mamdani has said he supports Israel’s right to exist but has criticized the Israeli government and supports the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, positions that have drawn both support and opposition since his election.

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