NYC Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro exits Eric Adams’ admin with a pointed jab at Zohran Mamdani

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Eric Adams' top aide and NYC Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro resigned on Friday, December 5 firing off a pointed jab at Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani as he exited City Hall. 

Mastro said he had long vowed never to work for a “socialist,” yet Mamdani’s transition team still included him on a list of 179 staffers slated for replacement in January 2026. Notably, Mastro has been an outspoken critic of Mamdani’s left-wing politics and anti-Israel rhetoric.

Randy Mastro takes swipe at Mamdani in resignation letter

In his resignation letter, Mastro took a jab at Mamdani by pointing out that the incoming mayor’s team put him on a list of people to be replaced, even though he had already said months earlier that he would “never work for a socialist.”

In his letter to Mayor Eric Adams, Mastro wrote, “While I told the press months ago that, ‘I will never work for a socialist,’ the mayor-elect’s transition team needlessly included me (and you) last week on a list of 179 City Hall staffers it intends to replace on January 1, 2026.”

He added, “No need to have done so. We will be leaving city government together.”

Randy Mastro hails Eric Adams' administration achievements

Randy Mastro also noted that he believes he is the only person in modern city history to serve as top deputy and acting mayor in two different administrations, a distinction he says he will soon share with his successor.

Notably, Mastro, who previously served as deputy mayor under Rudy Giuliani, returned to the same role in March when Eric Adams appointed him after several aides resigned during the now-dismissed federal corruption case against the mayor.

He said, "It is my understanding that I am the only person in modern city history to have served as top deputy and acting mayor in two different administrations — a distinction I will soon share with my successor in the incoming administration — proving there is still a place in city government for an elder statesman."

Looking back on his nine months working under Adams, Mastro praised the administration’s achievements, saying, "The time since [the appointment] has been a period of remarkable productivity, with crime down to record lows, jobs up to record highs, and affordable housing created at an unprecedented rate." He called it a “true team effort” that everyone should be proud of.

Eric Adams responds to Randy Mastro's resignation letter

Following the resignation letter, Eric Adams released a statement on Sunday, December 7 expressing his sentiments about Mastro’s departure.

Adams said, “I’m so glad Randy answered my call to return to City Hall after such a distinguished career in and out of government.”

He highlighted Mastro’s impact on the administration, noting, “His experience, wisdom, common sense and many contributions have been invaluable.”

Adams added, “As mayor, I often talk about landing the plane. Over the past few months, Randy has landed enough planes to fill an airport.”