One of his earliest actions was the revival and expansion of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, an agency that had existed in diluted form but never with real teeth. Mamdani didn’t just restore it; he redefined its purpose. No longer a symbolic mediator, the office would act as an aggressive advocate for renters, offering legal support, enforcement muscle, and political backing against predatory practices. By appointing longtime housing organizer Cea Weaver to lead it, Mamdani signaled that lived experience and activism—not corporate ties—would guide policy.
Weaver’s appointment sent ripples through the city’s real estate world. Known for years of organizing tenants and pushing aggressive housing legislation, she represents the opposite of the technocratic, industry-friendly appointments that have historically populated City Hall. To supporters, her leadership means accountability. To critics, it’s a declaration of war. Continue reading…
