In a bold statement that has ignited conversations across the political spectrum, House Speaker Mike Johnson has taken aim at New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s health department. He criticized the agency for allegedly injecting politics into public health by establishing a so-called "global oppression working group," which has leveled accusations of genocide against Israel.
Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, expressed his concerns through a post on X, emphasizing that rather than pushing a radical leftist foreign policy agenda, the staff at Mamdani’s Department of Health should prioritize delivering essential services that are funded by New York taxpayers. He stated, "The bureaucrats in Zohran Mamdani’s Department of Health should focus on delivering the services New Yorkers pay for with their tax dollars."
His remarks were prompted by an exclusive report from the New York Post, which unveiled that employees within the Department of Health (DOH) had convened to discuss their newly formed "Global Oppression and Public Health Working Group." This group held its inaugural meeting last week during normal working hours at the agency’s headquarters located in Long Island City, Queens.
During this meeting, one of the presenters referenced the group's mission statement, noting, "We really developed in response to the ongoing genocide in Palestine," according to video footage obtained by the Post. This statement has raised eyebrows and stirred debate about the role of public health officials in political discourse.
Critics, including City Council Speaker Julie Menin, have called for a thorough investigation to determine if taxpayer resources are being misused to advocate for political views. However, it remains uncertain whether Johnson's comments will lead to any formal actions within the House of Representatives regarding this matter.
Adding to the controversy, former Governor Andrew Cuomo—who was defeated by Mamdani in last year’s mayoral race—went as far as to label the politicization of the health department as "criminal," urging the city’s Department of Investigation, Comptroller Mark Levine, and the city council to initiate inquiries. During his Sunday broadcast on 77 WABC’s "Pulse of the People," Cuomo questioned, "Why don’t you worry about the mentally ill people on the street who are freezing to death? Where is the Department of Investigation? Hello. Wake up, Department of Investigation."
Cuomo strongly condemned the use of public resources for political advocacy and voiced skepticism about Mamdani’s newly established office of mass engagement aimed at energizing community participation.
As of now, neither Mamdani nor the Department of Health has provided any immediate comments addressing these accusations or the unfolding situation.
