New York University has pulled the webpage for a class taught by Cea Weaver, the housing czar for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, after her past social media posts criticizing white middle-class homeownership and advocating communist policies gained attention this month.

The course, titled "Community Organizing + Advocacy Skills," was a one-credit offering through NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study in the fall of 2025, and the page was removed last week as Weaver’s views drew scrutiny, though archived versions are still accessible online. An NYU spokesman confirmed Weaver is not currently employed or teaching at the university. Gianpaolo Baiocchi, a sociology professor tied to NYU’s Urban Democracy Lab, noted the page was taken down to shield Weaver from what he described as harassment.

The situation has ignited a firestorm over Weaver’s role and beliefs. Critics point to her public statements as evidence of a troubling agenda for someone in a position of influence. Her past remarks, like calling homeownership a racist institution, have raised eyebrows, especially given her new post in Mamdani’s administration.

Public Statements Draw Intense Scrutiny

Weaver’s history of inflammatory comments, including a push to "impoverish the white middle class," has fueled the backlash, as reported by the Washington Free Beacon. When pressed by reporters on how she reconciles such views with her own family’s $1.6 million property ownership, she broke down in tears, offering no clear defense. This moment only amplified questions about her suitability for shaping housing policy.

Her stated goals, like devaluing housing stock and pushing for municipal control of property, strike many as a direct assault on the foundation of personal wealth-building. Such policies, if enacted, could upend the dreams of countless families striving for stability. The idea of dismantling private property as a supposed tool of oppression feels like a page torn from a failed historical playbook.

Baiocchi, who also serves on Mamdani’s transition team, defended Weaver, saying in an email that she "paused her teaching at NYU for the immediate future" to focus on her administrative role. His support, alongside Mamdani’s public backing, suggests a tight circle of ideological allies. Yet, this solidarity does little to quiet the growing unease among observers.

Mayor Mamdani Stands Firm on Choice

Mamdani has not wavered, telling reporters he trusts Weaver to "build on the work that she has done to protect tenants across the city." That confidence might reassure some, but it sidesteps the deeper concern about whether her radical vision aligns with the needs of a diverse metropolis. Many wonder if tenant advocacy should come at the expense of property rights.

Before her current role, Weaver led Housing Justice For All, a nonprofit with explicit communist leanings and funding ties to George Soros. That background adds another layer of skepticism for those wary of centralized control over housing. Her track record seems less about balance and more about a singular, disruptive ideology.

NYU’s own celebration of Weaver as recently as November, highlighting her spot on Mamdani’s team, now appears tone-deaf, given the swift removal of her course page. The university, tied to major real estate donors, faces questions about why such a course was offered at all. An insider called the decision to platform Weaver "very odd," and it’s hard to disagree.

Course Content Raises Red Flags

The deleted course page promised to teach "powerful tactics" for community organizing, framed as a tool for urban democracy. While civic engagement sounds noble, the lack of a public syllabus or reading list leaves room for suspicion about the true focus. Was this class a training ground for activism over practical policy?

Weaver’s past collaborations with Baiocchi’s Urban Democracy Lab, which prioritizes concepts like social housing and dismantling racial capitalism, hint at a broader agenda. These ideas, while presented as progressive solutions, often ignore the realities of economic incentives and individual choice. They risk alienating the very communities they claim to uplift.

Her teaching stint wasn’t limited to NYU; records show similar courses at Fordham University. This pattern suggests a deliberate effort to spread her views through academic channels. One has to ask if universities are becoming echo chambers for untested theories rather than forums for rigorous debate.

Broader Implications for Housing Policy

As Weaver steps into a position of power under Mamdani, her vision for housing could reshape New York City’s landscape. Devaluing property and municipalizing stock might appeal to a narrow base, but it threatens the stability of a market-driven system that, for all its flaws, has sustained growth. Hardworking citizens deserve policies that respect their sacrifices.

The silence from Weaver herself, who did not respond to requests for comment, only deepens the concern. If she stands by her past statements, a clear explanation is owed to the public she now serves. Transparency, not tears, should guide the conversation.

Ultimately, this controversy exposes a rift between ideological crusades and practical governance. New Yorkers need housing solutions that balance tenant rights with property ownership, not a wrecking ball aimed at one to favor the other. The road ahead demands scrutiny of Weaver’s influence and a firm defense of fairness over dogma.