NYC Dem: Mamdani aide’s radical views prevented her appointment to city commission

A few years before Mayor Zohran Mamdani named Cea Weaver to head his tenant protection office, Democratic Rep. Kalman Yeger said the New York City Council signaled it wouldn’t confirm her for an influential city planning commission because she was too radical.

Mamdani did not withdraw Weaver’s nomination amid some of the same concerns City Council members had in 2021, including resurfaced comments she made calling homeownership a “weapon of white supremacy” and arguments that homeownership should be treated as a “communal good.”

“I guess it’s easier to nominate a communist to a position that doesn’t require confirmation,” Yeger said amid the controversy surrounding Weaver. “Four years ago, his name was submitted to the City Council for confirmation with the Planning Commission. Enough of us made it clear that we would not confirm his appointment and forced his removal.”

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The New York Democrat noted in an interview with Fox News Digital that Weaver’s nomination to the city’s planning commission, which was made by New York City’s Public Advocate, would not generally be controversial, but in light of Weaver’s past comments between 2017 and 2021, which had been made much more recently at the time, the City Council pressured the Public Advocate to drop Weaver’s nomination, which she claims to have herself removed.

“We learned a little bit more about this person and I guess from my perspective, those were some of the most outlandish comments, not just a political philosophy per se, but the things that she actually said verbatim,” Yeger told Fox News Digital in recalling the discontent that led to Weaver’s withdrawal of the nomination. “Things like homeownership are white supremacy – I think it’s just ridiculous and, to be quite frank, I think it would surprise a lot of my Black, Latino and Caribbean constituents who have struggled their whole lives to buy a piece of New York and who are raising middle-class families in my community to find out that they are participating in white supremacy in this way.”

In a tweet on her since-deleted X account, Mamdani tenant director Cea Weaver called for “electing more communists.” (Fox News)

Yeger said he didn’t remember exactly how many city council members opposed Weaver’s nomination, but said it was a “good number of council members.” He added that some council members weren’t just concerned about his comments. Yeger also said some are also concerned about far-left organizations she has worked with in the past.

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Amid controversy over her comments, Weaver said she regretted “some” of her past comments, but did not specify which ones.

Weaver, a longtime housing activist and member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), was asked about the backlash, including from former New York Democratic Mayor Eric Adams, who called her “irrelevant.” [her] damn mind,” on Spectrum News NY1.

“I don’t think I’m crazy.” Weaver responded.. “Some of those things are certainly not what I would say today and I regret that.”

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, center, joined by members of his transition team, from left, Transition Executive Director Elana Leopold, Transition Co-Chair Melanie Hartzog, Transition Co-Chair Maria Torres-Springer, Transition Co-Chair Grace Bonilla, and Transition Co-Chair Lina Khan speak to the media at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Queens borough of New York York, Wednesday, November 5. 2025. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Although she did not specify which statements she regretted, Weaver said she wanted to address “racial inequality” while serving New Yorkers.

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“But, you know, I think my decades of experience fighting for more affordable housing kind of stands on its own,” Weaver said. “I’m proud to play this role in fighting for stronger tenants’ rights. And I believe that for many years, people have been priced out of the housing market, which has produced systemic and racial inequities in our system.”

“I want to make sure everyone has safe, affordable housing, whether they rent or own,” she added. “And that’s something I’m laser-focused on in this new role.”

Peter Pinedo and Alexander Hall of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.