Mamdani Appoints Justine Olderman as Criminal Justice Coordinator Amid Controversial Past

Justine Olderman, who has been vocal in her opposition to policing and previously stepped down from her nonprofit role amid an antisemitism controversy, has been appointed to a $225,000-a-year position in New York City’s Office of Criminal Justice under Mayor Zohran Mamdani. In her new role, Olderman, a long-standing public defender and former executive director of the Bronx Defenders, will collaborate with various legal and public safety agencies to enhance community safety and fairness in the criminal justice system.

Olderman’s past statements include calls for dismantling the NYPD and labeling policing as an institution rooted in enforcing white supremacy. Her appointment comes after her exit from the Bronx Defenders, which faced backlash over a settlement related to allegations of antisemitism. Despite her controversial history, Mamdani expressed pride in welcoming Olderman to his team, aiming to create a just city for all New Yorkers.