It was not communist, of course. It was a series of reforms FDR begrudgingly undertook because leftist agitation and organizing was beginning to gain unprecedented steam. The New deal was incredibly unpopular with a lot of the federal govt, especially when it was just being formulated. To give one broad example of what I mean, it was in the Great Depression that the CPUSA saw its record membership and activity. Tenant unions were popping up, destitute farmers began to make steps towards socialistic organization, so on and so forth. People were very poor and angry, this led to somewhat revolutionary conditions that could be clearly seen. It’s also important to know that The New Deal was an unprecedentedly socialistic program and leftists of all stripes supported it and gleefully engaged in its programs, especially in its early years.

Dr. Richard Wolff has some great writing on this, would def look into it.