The Brian Lehrer Show Mayor Mamdani's First Week
Jan 7, 2026
Elizabeth Kim, a city politics reporter for Gothamist and WNYC, and Bridget Bergen, WNYC's senior political correspondent, dive into Mayor Mamdani's impactful first week. They discuss his provocative decision to rescind key executive orders from Mayor Adams regarding Israel and antisemitism. The duo analyzes Mamdani’s shift from 'economic development' to 'economic justice' and how that could reshape business relations. Lastly, they touch on his ambitious goals for reform, crime statistics, and the balancing act he faces in governance.
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Day-One Purge Creates A Clean Slate
- Mamdani revoked all Adams executive orders issued after Adams' indictment to draw a clear ethical line.
- He plans to restore only those orders that align with his administration's values and policies.
Selective Restorations Spark Intense Scrutiny
- Mamdani rescinded two Israel-related Adams orders but kept creating an office to combat anti-Semitism.
- That choice has generated intense scrutiny because Mamdani is a known critic of Israel and BDS-supportive positions.
Economic Justice Replaces Development In Title
- Mamdani renamed Deputy Mayor for Economic Development to Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice and appointed Julie Su.
- The change signals a priority shift toward workers and consumers over traditional business-facing economic development.