‘Purely politics’: Row over Zohran Mamdani’s new communications office costing $5 million

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani’s new communications office is facing backlash after budget documents revealed it could cost taxpayers more than $5.2 million in salaries. Critics are calling the spending “morally incomprehensible”.The Office of Mass Engagement has expanded far beyond its original size. According to the city’s 2027 executive budget, its headcount has risen from 14 staff to 40, a jump of 186 per cent. The total salary allocation now stands at $5,123,756.This is much higher than earlier estimates, which placed the cost at around $1.6 million when hiring first began. The new figures show plans to bring in a further 26 staff members, with average salaries of about $125,000. An additional $30,000 has also been set aside for non-staff expenses.The scale of spending has drawn criticism from political opponents, some of whom argue the office duplicates existing city functions and only offers little public benefit.“This is purely politics at a time when real services are needed,” Democratic political consultant Hank Sheinkopf told The New York Post.He said: “We have real deficits and this mayor is spending five million dollars to put 40 political operatives on the payroll. It’s morally incomprehensible . . . It’s outrageous.”He added: “This isn’t for anybody’s benefit but the mayor’s.”City budget documents show the office’s purpose is to increase public participation in policymaking and improve civic engagement.The Office of Mass Engagement sits alongside an already expanded communications team in the mayor’s office, which is expected to be larger than any previous administration in NYC history, according to sources cited by the New York Post.The overall budget for the mayor’s office in 2027 has been set at $51.8 million, an increase of $7 million compared with former mayor Eric Adams’ previous budget.Among those already hired are officials with backgrounds in Mamdani’s campaign, including commissioner Tascha Van Auken, his former field director, and Mohamed Alharbi, now serving as deputy borough director for Queens.