NYC Mayor Mamdani dodges questions on DEI removal from equity report

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani points to stark racial disparities — including a gap of more than $180,000 between White and Black households — to justify expanding diversity initiatives, raising taxes, and cutting police positions.

Mamdani released a 375-page “Preliminary Racial Equity Plan” last week. This plan argues that systemic racism is a major cause of these disparities, with White households having median wealth of more than $200,000 compared to Black households having less than $20,000.

MAMDANI PLAN PUT MILLIONS INTO ‘RACIST EQUALITY’ OFFICES AND SIX-FIGURE DIVERSITY BUSINESSES, CUT 5,000 NYPD JOBS

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

This push is in line with Mamdani’s broader approach 127 billion dollar agendaThat includes higher taxes on wealthy residents and corporations, a potential 9.5% property tax increase if state lawmakers fail to act, and a reduction of nearly 5,000 NYPD officers.

MAMDANI ANNOUNCES NEW ‘RACIST EQUALITY PLAN’ FOR A MORE JUST FUTURE THAT ENABLES THE QUICK RETURN OF THE DOJ

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

“This is not an accusation against any New Yorker,” Mamdani said at a news conference Tuesday. “But this is an indictment of policies and politics that have gone on for too long.”

City officials described the plan as the first time New York City has asked major institutions 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 finds that racial disparities in the city date back centuries, citing historical factors such as colonization and slavery.

HERE ARE MAMDANI’S IMPORTANT ECONOMIC QUOTES FROM FREE BUSES TO MARKETS IN THE CITY

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

The practice sparked swift backlash from conservatives and the Trump administration, which has sought to roll back race-based initiatives since coming to power last year.

“Sounds suspicious/illegal,” DOJ Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon said on X. “To be examined!”

“Direct racism against white people,” TikTok’s conservative influencer account Libs posted on X.

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Conservative commentator Paul A. Szypula shared on X: “The truth is that Mamdani is implementing blatant racist policies that reward and punish people based on their skin color.”

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.