Zohran Mamdani Aligns with Mayor Adams on Refusal to Rehire Vaccine Mandate-Terminated NYC Workers

New York City – Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani has publicly affirmed his support for Mayor Eric Adams's decision to not reinstate New York City workers, including NYPD officers and FDNY firefighters, who were terminated due to the city's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. This stance, highlighted in a recent social media post by John D. Macari Jr. on June 28, 2025, underscores a notable alignment between the progressive assembly member and the current mayor on a contentious issue.

The tweet, from John D. Macari Jr., explicitly states, "> Zohran Mamdani supports Eric Adams position on refusing to reinstate NYPD Cops, FDNY Firefighters and other NYC city workers terminated and forced out under the Adams administration enforcement of the vaccine mandate." This position comes years after thousands of city employees were dismissed for non-compliance with the mandate.

Mayor Adams inherited the vaccine mandate from the de Blasio administration and enforced it, leading to the termination of approximately 1,700 city workers. While Adams lifted the mandate for current and prospective city employees in February 2023, his administration has consistently appealed court rulings that ordered the reinstatement of fired workers with back pay. The city's Law Department has maintained that the mandate was legally sound and necessary for public health.

The issue of reinstatement has been a persistent point of contention, with many terminated workers pursuing legal action and advocating for their return. Judges in several cases have ruled against the city, citing the arbitrary nature of maintaining the mandate for public employees while lifting it for the private sector. However, the city's appeals have kept these workers from being immediately rehired.

Mamdani's support for Adams's stance is particularly noteworthy given his progressive political platform and his emerging role as a prominent figure in New York City politics, including being a presumptive Democratic nominee for mayor in 2025, as indicated by recent political analyses. His alignment with Adams on this specific issue suggests a pragmatic approach or a shared perspective on the finality of the mandate's enforcement. The decision not to rehire these workers continues to impact their lives and careers, with many still seeking resolution years after their dismissal.