From 9/11 to 2026: Mamdani Hands the Keys of NYC’s Justice System to a Terror Sympathizer

Zohran Mamdani is now New York City’s 111th mayor. His win already promised a big change for the five boroughs. However, his latest move has shocked the NYPD and 9/11 families. Mamdani has appointed Ramzi Kassem as the city’s Chief Counsel.

Kassem is a CUNY law professor. He is famous for defending high-profile terror suspects. This is not just a staffing change. It signals a huge shift. Mamdani has handed the city’s legal power to a man who fought against national security agencies. Critics call this the “Londonization” of New York. They fear a rapid slide into a city where radical ideas trump public safety.

The “Al Qaeda Lawyer” in City Hall

For many New Yorkers, the name Ramzi Kassem represents the defense of America’s enemies. Now, he is the top lawyer for the city that suffered the worst terror attack in history.

Kassem’s legal work reads like a list of anti-American cases. His most infamous client was Ahmed al-Darbi. Al-Darbi was a high-ranking Al Qaeda operative. He was also the brother-in-law of a 9/11 hijacker. He was convicted for plotting the bombing of the French oil tanker MV Limburg. That attack killed a civilian and injured a dozen others.

While representing al-Darbi, Kassem criticized the systems that protect New York. Additionally, his past writings have resurfaced this week. A younger Kassem argued that the 9/11 attacks were not driven by “intrinsic evil.” Instead, he claimed they came from “resentment” toward U.S. policy.

For the families of the 3,000 victims, seeing Ramzi Kassem as NYC Chief Counsel is an insult. Many feel it desecrates the memory of their loved ones.

The “Mamdani Network”: Is NYC the Next London?

This appointment is not random. It is the final piece of a puzzle. Mayor Mamdani is following a specific blueprint. Critics say it mimics Sadiq Khan’s London. The goal is to capture institutions from the inside.

This “Mamdani Network” relies on a pipeline of radical talent. It flows from CUNY Law School directly into City Hall. CUNY Law is notorious for its anti-police culture.

• The Incubator: Kassem founded CLEAR at CUNY. This project worked to dismantle NYPD surveillance of radical groups.

• The Result: Kassem spent years suing the NYPD to stop them from monitoring threats. Now, he tells the NYPD what they can and cannot do.

By appointing Ramzi Kassem as NYC Chief Counsel, Mamdani has tied the hands of the police. It sends a chilling message to every officer. The call is now coming from inside the house.

Dismantling the Guardrails

The “Kassem Doctrine” is already in motion. On his very first day, Mayor Mamdani revoked Executive Order 61. This order protected synagogues from aggressive protests.

Simultaneously, Mamdani scrapped the city’s adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism. The Israeli Foreign Ministry described this as pouring “antisemitic gasoline on an open fire.”

With Kassem providing legal cover, Mamdani is removing safety guardrails. The city is no longer just “progressive.” It is becoming a fortress for activists who want to tear down the system.

Conclusion: A City at Risk

Zohran Mamdani promised to shake things up. Yet, few expected him to go this far. The appointment of Ramzi Kassem as NYC Chief Counsel proves one thing. The new administration does not want compromise. They want a total takeover.

New York is approaching the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The city now finds itself in a dangerous position. The people in charge of safety sympathized with those who threaten it. If this is “bold justice,” many New Yorkers are asking a simple question. Justice for whom?

Quick Fact Sheet: The Controversy