NYC Mayor Mamdani dodges questions on DEI removal from equity report

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani points to stark racial disparities in wealth – including a gap of more than $180,000 between white and black households – to justify expanding diversity initiatives, raising taxes and eliminating police jobs.

Mamdani released a 375-page “Preliminary Racial Equity Plan” last week that says systemic racism is a major driver of these disparities, with white households holding more than $200,000 in median wealth, compared to less than $20,000 for Black households.

MAMDANI PLAN REVERSES MILLIONS IN RACIAL EQUITY OFFICES AND SIX-DIGIT DIVERSITY JOBS, CUTTING 5,000 NYPD JOBS

Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York, during a press conference at the WIN NYC family shelter in New York, United States, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg)

The Mamdani administration says the report will serve as a road map for future policies, including restoring diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and directing resources toward closing racial gaps in income, housing, and education.

This initiative aligns with Mamdani’s broader goal A $127 billion programwhich includes higher taxes on wealthy residents and businesses, a potential 9.5% property tax increase if state lawmakers don’t act, and a reduction of about 5,000 NYPD officers.

MAMDANI UNVEILS NEW “RACIAL EQUITY PLAN” FOR A “MORE EQUITABLE FUTURE” THAT PROMPTS RAPID BACKBACK FROM DOJ

A man sleeps on the E train, one of the subway lines most used by homeless New Yorkers for housing, in Queens, New York, Monday, April 7, 2025. (Victor J. Blue/The Washington Post/Getty Images)

“This is not an indictment of any New Yorker,” Mamdani said at a news conference Tuesday. “It is, however, an indictment of policies and policies that have persisted for far too long.”

City officials described the plan as the first time a New York City administration has required major agencies to evaluate their work through a racial equity lens and identify disparities. The plan sets goals in seven areas, including the economy, housing, public safety, health and infrastructure.

The report traces racial disparities in the city over the centuries, citing historical factors such as colonization and slavery.

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One World Trade Center and the Manhattan skyline pass by commuters on the Staten Island Ferry in New York, Friday, December 19, 2025. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

The deployment quickly drew backlash from conservatives and the Trump administration, which has sought to roll back race-based initiatives since taking office last year.

“This seems fishy/illegal,” DOJ Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon posted on X. “I’ll review!”

“Pure and simple racism against white people,” conservative TikTok influencer account Libs posted on X.

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“The reality is that Mamdani is implementing blatantly racist policies that reward and punish people based on their skin color,” conservative commentator Paul A. Szypula posted on X.

The city has opened a 30-day public comment period while officials consider next steps.

Mamdani’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.