Catholic League President Bill Donohue Accuses NYC Mayoral Hopeful Zohran Mamdani of Harboring “Anti-Catholic Bigots” in Staffing Dispute
The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights has leveled sharp criticism against New York State Assemblymember and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, accusing his campaign and office of systemic bias against the Catholic Church. In a recent statement to the New York Post, Catholic League President Bill Donohue alleged that Mamdani “not only wants nothing to do with Catholics,” but has actively recruited staff members whom Donohue characterizes as “vile anti-Catholic bigots.”
Political Context and Background
Zohran Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) representing Queens, has built a platform centered on housing rights, public transit accessibility, and labor protections. As he positions himself for a mayoral run, his progressive policies have drawn distinct lines between his campaign and more traditional, conservative institutions within the city. Bill Donohue, who has led the Catholic League since 1993, has a long history of aggressively challenging public figures, media organizations, and politicians he believes are disparaging the Catholic faith or excluding Catholic voices from the public square.
The current friction highlights a broader ideological clash in New York City politics. While Mamdani’s supporters view his staffing choices as alignment with aggressive social justice advocacy, conservative critics view the specific rhetoric used by some progressive staffers on social media as hostile toward religious traditionalism.
Allegations and Online Reaction
The dispute has triggered intense reactions across social media platforms. Critics of the Assemblymember have utilized the controversy to amplify warnings about the city’s political direction, with some commentators employing extreme rhetoric describing a “demonic” or “communist” takeover of city governance. These urgent calls for residents to flee New York City reflect the heightened emotional temperature surrounding the upcoming election cycle.
Counter-Perspectives and Objections
Despite the severe accusations from the Catholic League, supporters of Mamdani argue that the attacks are a distraction from substantive policy debates. Allies of the Assemblymember contend that his hiring practices are based on merit and dedication to working-class issues rather than religious animus. Political analysts note that the friction between the DSA and the Catholic hierarchy often stems from divergent views on reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ issues, rather than a personal hatred of Catholics. Furthermore, defenders of the campaign suggest that the “anti-Catholic” label is frequently weaponized by conservative activists to delegitimize secular progressive candidates who seek to separate religious doctrine from public policy.
