The US flag flutters during New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's inauguration ceremony, at City Hall in Lower Manhattan, January 1, 2026. © REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
(New York, NY) – Julie Menin is now the New York City Council speaker. She made history by becoming the first-ever Jewish speaker. And there are many on the political right that hope she will serve as a foil against progressive-leftist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is a self-avowed socialist. Menin joined Cats and Cosby for an exclusive interview and shared how excited she was to begin her time as speaker.
Menin explained to hosts John Catsimatidis and Judge Richard Weinberg that she feels highly qualified to serve in her new role, having previously held the title of Commissioner of the Department of Consumer Affairs. A veteran of New York City government, Menin has also worked in the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, served as an executive assistant in Corporation Counsel, and was involved in the running of the NYC census.
Many consider Menin to be a politically-moderate Democrat. And her status as a Jewish American could also represent a potential foil to Mayor Mamdani’s anti-Israel positions. The unique reality that Mamdani is the city’s first Muslim mayor, and Menin its first Jewish speaker, has been noted as well. Menin noted, “I am going to be the first Jewish speaker. There has never been a Jewish speaker elected… And so we will have the first Muslim mayor and the first Jewish speaker. And I think that, in and of itself, is historic. This is a time for communities across the city to come together.”
Speaker Menin told John and Judge Weinberg the City Council needs to shift in its approach, becoming more proactive as opposed to reactive. This, she says, requires the council to embrace its role as a co-equal brand of government in relation to the mayor’s office. “I have believe that we need to do a very proactive vision for the City Council. The city council has largely in recent years, been reactive… So I’m very excited about the next four years and what we can do,” Menin explained.
Menin’s comments covered areas of legislative authority, oversight hearings, budget negotiation, land use decisions, and the ability to override mayoral vetoes — in terms of the City Council asserting itself as a more significant player in Big Apple politics.
Judge Weinberg has gone so far as to call Mayor Mamdani a “clear and present danger,” while Catsimatidis has been clear in his concerns — while also wishing the best for the new mayor. Menin took steps to try and reassure the real estate sector by saying she will focus on job creation, attracting businesses, and growing city revenue. The speaker citied her success in helping to grow New York City’s film and TV production sector, into what is now a $9 billion industry.
As a nod to Catsimatidis’ willingness to give Mamdani a chance, Menin said: “Give city government a chance. We don’t want anyone leaving our great city. We live in the greatest city in the world… We’re going to focus on building more affordable housing… on cutting onerous fines for small businesses.”
One worry that Menin is uniquely positioned to respond to is the rise of anti-Semitism within New York City, despite its large Jewish population. Menin told Cats and Cosby she is supporting an initiative that would bring every 8th-grade public school student to the Museum of Jewish Heritage for Holocaust education. She also announced upcoming bills that would create safe perimeters around houses of worship, and schools to ensure safe entry/exit — while respecting protest rights.
“The rise in anti semitism is absolutely abhorrent… research shows that for young people, 34% of young people believe the Holocaust is a myth or has been exaggerated, and that is just it’s such a shocking statistic,” Menin said. Responding to concerns about population exodus and business flight, Menin also vowed to focus on public safety, sanitation, affordable housing, and supporting small businesses. She highlighted reforms put into place while serving as Consumer Affairs Commissioner, including lowered fines.
The interview ended with thanks and the expression of mutual support for ensuring New York’s status as the nation’s greatest city.
Menin closed by saying, “We don’t want anyone leaving our great city. We live in the greatest city in the world.” She also didn’t shy away from her job’s importance: “(It) is our job in city government, and it’s my job as the speaker of the city council to improve New York City to the best of our abilities.”
