In a sweeping move to mark the beginning of his tenure, New York City's new Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has nullified every executive order issued by his predecessor over the past 15 months. The action, taken on January 1st, is aimed at ensuring a clean slate for the incoming administration.
A Clean Sweep for a Fresh Start
The directive specifically revoked all orders signed by former mayor Eric Adams since September 26, 2024. This date is significant as it was the day Adams was indicted on federal corruption charges, which were later dismissed by the Justice Department under President Donald Trump. The mayor's office stated the mass revocation is designed to guarantee "a fresh start for the incoming administration."
Controversial Israel-Related Orders Axed
Among the rescinded orders were two highly contentious measures related to Israel. One order had prohibited certain city officials from engaging in procurement practices that could be seen as discriminating against the State of Israel, its citizens, or entities associated with it. A companion order provided similar guidance to city pension officials, effectively barring them from divesting from Israel-related holdings.
Another earlier order, adopted in June 2024, had codified a broad definition of antisemitism. Critics argued this definition wrongly equated criticism of the Israeli government with prejudice against Jewish people. While Eric Adams defended these orders as support for the city's Jewish community, opponents believed the later actions were politically timed to undermine Mamdani's upcoming term. Mamdani himself has been a known critic of Israel's government and a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
New Orders Focus on Housing and Governance
Alongside the revocations, Mayor Mamdani issued several new executive orders on Thursday and Friday. These initiatives signal a shift in policy priorities for the city.
The new orders include:
- A reorganization of the city's senior leadership structure.
- The creation of a new office dedicated to community engagement.
- Three significant orders concerning housing and real estate.
On the housing front, one order re-established the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants, an agency originally created in 2019. Two additional orders established task forces with clear mandates: one to review city-owned properties for potential development opportunities, and another to identify bureaucratic red tape that can be cut to accelerate the production of affordable housing.
This flurry of activity in Mamdani's first days sets a clear tone for his administration, moving away from the foreign policy stances of his predecessor and refocusing on domestic issues like housing and governance.
