Zohran Mamdani took office as mayor of New York City on Thursday (January 1st), pledging to boldly use government power to ease the cost-of-living crisis facing millions of working-class residents.
A democrat and democratic socialist, Mamdani took office just after midnight at a decommissioned metro station below City Hall and placed his hand on the Koran as he was sworn in – making history as the city’s first Muslim mayor.
Midnight Oath and Public Inauguration
After working briefly from his new office overnight, Mamdani returned to City Hall around noon for a more public inauguration where U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders was sworn in for a second term.
“From today we will rule expansively and boldly,” Mamdani told the crowd. “We may not always succeed, but we will never be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
He added, “City Hall will no longer hesitate to use its power to improve the lives of New Yorkers.”
Focus on affordability and the working class
Mamdani’s speech drew heavily on the theme that fueled his election victory – affordability.
Referring to steel-toed workers, halal cart sellers and restaurant cooks, he said: “I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist. I will not abandon my principles for fear of being seen as a ‘radical’.”
Sanders echoed that sentiment, dismissing criticism of Mamdani’s program. “In the richest country in the history of the world, making sure people can live in affordable housing is not radical,” Sanders said. “It is the right and decent thing to do.
Immediate meeting at the town hall
Mamdani moved quickly after the ceremony to rescind several executive orders issued by the previous administration following the indictment of former Mayor Eric Adams in September 2024 — charges that were later dismissed.
He later visited a Brooklyn apartment building to announce the revival of a city office dedicated to protecting tenants and the creation of two housing task forces.
Political promises: childcare, buses, rent freezes
Mamdani campaigned on a sharply focused platform, promising free childcare, free bus rides, a rent freeze for about a million households and a pilot program for city-run grocery stores.
“A moment like this rarely comes,” he said. “Too often moments of great possibility have been subordinated to little imagination and lesser ambition.”
The youngest mayor, historic firsts
At 34, Mamdani is New York’s youngest mayor in generations. He is also the city’s first mayor of South Asian descent and the first born in Africa.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York at the age of seven and became an American citizen in 2018. He previously served as a member of the state assembly from Queens.
Managing the challenges ahead
While he inherits a city showing signs of post-pandemic recovery — with crime down, tourism rebounding and unemployment back to pre-Covid levels — Mamdani faces deep anxiety about rising rents and prices.
“They want to know if the left can govern,” Mamdani said. “They want to know if it’s right to hope again.”
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Trump ties and looming tensions
During the campaign, President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funds if Mamdani won, but later invited him to the White House for a cordial meeting.
“I want him to do a great job and I’m going to help him do a great job,” Trump said.
Still, clashes are expected over immigration and federal enforcement policies, with several inauguration speakers criticizing deportation efforts.
Support and skepticism
US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez praised voters for choosing “courage over fear,” while Mamdani continues to face skepticism from some Jewish groups over his criticism of the Israeli government.
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