Queens Republican City Councilwoman Vicki Palladino has faced backlash from Democrats for her social media comments advocating for “the expulsion of Muslims” following a terrorist attack at Australia’s Bondi Beach.
After criticism from various local officials, including Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani—who labeled the remarks as Islamophobic—Palladino deleted the post.
She stated on X that, “We are in the midst of a global jihad the likes of which the world has never seen before, and we cannot ignore it,” in response to the loss of 15 lives and injuries to 40 during a recent celebration for Hanukkah.
A post attributed to Palladino suggested that it was necessary to either begin expelling Muslims from Western nations or impose severe sanctions on those within their borders, warning about preventing “another 9/11 or worse.”
Outgoing City Comptroller Brad Lander called for the City Council to initiate censure proceedings against Palladino “within this week,” condemning her remarks as “disgusting and completely unacceptable.” He highlighted the nearly 1 million Muslims living in New York, representing friends, neighbors, co-workers, and even the future mayor.
Mamdani, set to become New York City’s first Muslim mayor next month, criticized Palladino’s comments, emphasizing, “There are 1 million Muslims living in New York City. We belong here, just like any other New Yorker.” He condemned the Islamophobia present in the statements from elected officials.
Jumaane Williams also expressed his discontent, noting that such sentiments have “no place outside of white supremacist rallies.”
Incoming City Council President Julie Menin, who is Jewish, noted that she had asked Palladino to retract her post by Monday afternoon, stating, “Rhetoric that denigrates entire communities only inflames tensions at a time when New Yorkers need to come together.”
Menin did not clarify whether she would support calls for Palladino’s censure.
While Palladino appeared willing to remove the controversial comments, she also shared a message stating, “The evil beasts of Islam hate everyone,” referring to the public outrage as a challenge to the First Amendment.
In her defense, Palladino claimed that progressives do not value free speech, sarcastically noting their heightened alarm over her post while their own platforms often feature what she described as harmful rhetoric.
“It seems once again, after a series of terrorist incidents, progressives act as if they are the PR representatives for Islamic extremists, and this is a reality the West will have to confront,” she remarked.
