The appointment of Ramzi Kassem as New York City's chief legal counsel by incoming Democratic Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani has sparked significant controversy due to Kassem's previous defense of an al-Qaeda terrorist and other radical activists.
As reported by Gateway Pundit, the city that endured the horrors of terrorism nearly a quarter-century ago will now see an individual with ties to Islamist defense in a prominent legal position. Mamdani announced on Tuesday that Kassem, a law professor at the City University of New York and a seasoned civil rights attorney, will assume the role of Chief Counsel, the highest legal advisory position in the new administration.
"I am delighted to announce that I am naming Ramzi Kassem as Chief Counsel," Mamdani stated. He praised Kassem's extensive experience, including his tenure as a senior policy advisor for President Biden and his courtroom expertise, which extends to the Supreme Court. Mamdani expressed his hope that Kassem's appointment would provide a voice for marginalized New Yorkers, including homeless veterans, patients in need of care, and struggling immigrants, emphasizing the need for leaders who understand and advocate for their struggles.
The Office of the Chief Counsel plays a crucial role in overseeing various city functions and initiatives, serving as a primary advisor on a broad spectrum of municipal legal matters. According to Fox News, Kassem's legal career includes serving as lead counsel for Ahmed al-Darbi, who pled guilty in 2014 to conspiracy related to an al-Qaeda plot to bomb a French oil tanker.
Al-Darbi was convicted in 2017 and transferred to Saudi Arabia in 2018. At the time of the transfer, Kassem remarked, "While it may not make him whole, my hope is that repatriation at least marks the end of injustice for Ahmed," acknowledging the "16 long and painful years in captivity." In 2025, Kassem represented Mahmoud Khalil, an anti-Israel activist and Columbia student, arrested by ICE for leading antisemitic demonstrations. Khalil has since been released, though his legal case continues.
Kassem is also the founder of the Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility (CLEAR) law clinic, which aims to support Muslim and other communities targeted by government agencies under the guise of national security and counterterrorism. State Assemblyman Kalman Yeger, a Brooklyn Democrat, criticized Kassem's appointment, suggesting it sends a message to "America haters" that they are welcome in Mamdani's administration, as reported by the New York Post.
Yeger argued that New York City has numerous brilliant legal minds who have not defended terrorists, implying that Mamdani's choice reflects poorly on the city. He further speculated that Kassem was not nominated as Corporation Counsel due to the need for City Council confirmation, suggesting that even the Council would not support such a controversial figure.
Ramzi Kassem is scheduled to begin his role as chief counsel on January 1, 2026, coinciding with Mayor-elect Mamdani's inauguration. Councilwoman Vickie Paladino, a Republican representing District 19 in Queens, also voiced her concerns, stating, "Less than 25 years after thousands of New Yorkers were killed on 9/11, the Chief Counsel of New York is going to be an Islamist lawyer who came to this country after 9/11 specifically to defend the very Al Qaeda terrorists we were fighting against."
Paladino criticized the immigration system for allowing Kassem into the country post-9/11, calling it a "monumental failure." She further argued that the federal government must take a more active role in New York to prevent such appointments from going unchecked, describing the situation as "disgraceful."
The appointment of Kassem has undoubtedly stirred a heated debate, raising questions about the implications of his past legal work and the message it sends to the city's residents. As New York City prepares for a new administration, the decision to appoint Kassem as chief counsel will likely remain a contentious issue, reflecting broader tensions over national security, immigration, and the role of legal advocacy in a post-9/11 world.
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