Zohran Mamdani makes history in a midnight swearing-in beneath New York City
Zohran Mamdani sworn in as NYC mayor at historic City Hall station. Image Credit: Credit : AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old progressive lawmaker whose meteoric rise has captivated supporters and critics alike, was officially sworn in as the 112th mayor of New York City in the first moments of the New Year, marking a historic and highly symbolic transition of power in America’s largest city.
The private midnight ceremony, followed by a massive public inauguration hours later, capped a yearlong political ascent that transformed Mamdani from a relatively obscure state legislator into an international political figure, and the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor in New York City history.
A Midnight Swearing-In Steeped in Symbolism
Just minutes after the New Year’s Eve ball dropped in Times Square, Mamdani took the oath of office at a long-abandoned City Hall subway station, an architectural relic dating back to 1904. The understated ceremony was attended by close family members, allies, and a handful of reporters.
New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath as Mamdani placed his hand on two Qurans, one belonging to his grandfather and another to historian Arturo Schomburg, a gesture widely seen as a nod to both his faith and New York’s multicultural legacy.
“This moment represents the vitality, the health, and the legacy of our city,” Mamdani said afterward, emphasizing public transit, civic dignity, and inclusive governance.
From State Assembly to City Hall
Mamdani’s rise has been defined by a relentless focus on affordability, a message that resonated deeply with working-class New Yorkers facing rising rents, childcare costs, and transportation expenses.
As a state legislator, he championed free bus pilot programs, built a massive social media following, and used unconventional campaign tactics, such as viral videos filmed at halal food carts, to highlight the city’s cost-of-living crisis.
His platform includes:
- Free and fast city buses
- Universal childcare
- A rent freeze for rent-stabilized apartments
- Expanded public services
Together, those proposals carry an estimated annual price tag of $7 billion, requiring cooperation from the state government amid looming federal budget uncertainty.
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A Public Inauguration With Progressive Heavyweights
Mamdani’s public inauguration at City Hall drew tens of thousands of supporters and featured two of the most recognizable figures on the American left.
Senator Bernie Sanders administered a ceremonial oath, while Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered opening remarks. Sanders praised Mamdani as a leader “rooted in courage, integrity, and solidarity,” framing his victory as part of a broader generational shift in U.S. politics.
A massive inaugural block party followed along Broadway’s Canyon of Heroes, signaling a celebratory, and highly visible, start to Mamdani’s administration.
Praise, Skepticism, and Political Headwinds
While supporters describe Mamdani as a leader who “loves poor people and despises their poverty,” critics have raised alarms about his democratic socialist policies, past comments on policing, and refusal to denounce controversial pro-Palestinian slogans.
He now faces the challenge of governing:
- 300,000 city employees
- The nation’s largest police department, which he once criticized as racist
- America’s most Jewish city amid tensions over foreign policy rhetoric
Fox News and conservative commentators have framed his victory as emblematic of a growing ideological battle within the Democratic Party, warning that Mamdani-style politics could deepen polarization.
A Mayor Defined by Possibility, and Pressure
Despite his youth and limited executive experience, Mamdani enters City Hall amid enormous expectations. New Yorkers are famously unforgiving, and his ambitious agenda will be tested by fiscal realities, public safety concerns, and intergovernmental politics.
Still, as he emerged from the shuttered subway station into City Hall Park, Mamdani symbolically stepped from New York’s past into its uncertain future, one many supporters believe represents hope, inclusion, and systemic change.
FAQ
Who is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani is a progressive politician and former New York State Assembly member who became the 112th mayor of New York City in January 2026.
Why is Zohran Mamdani significant?
He is the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor in New York City history and one of the youngest mayors to ever hold the office.
Is Zohran Mamdani a socialist?
Mamdani identifies with democratic socialist principles and supports policies like rent freezes, free buses, and expanded public services.
What policies did Zohran Mamdani campaign on?
His platform focused on affordability, including universal childcare, rent stabilization, free public transit, and expanded city-run services.
Why is Zohran Mamdani controversial?
Critics cite his views on policing, Israel-Palestine rhetoric, and socialist economic proposals as divisive.
Who attended Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration?
Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Letitia James, labor leaders, and tens of thousands of supporters attended his public inauguration.
How old is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani is 34 years old.
What challenges does Zohran Mamdani face as mayor?
He must manage New York’s massive bureaucracy, address affordability and public safety, secure state funding, and navigate deep political divisions.
Will Zohran Mamdani freeze rent in NYC?
He has pledged to freeze rents for rent-stabilized apartments, though implementation will require state approval.
What does Zohran Mamdani’s election mean nationally?
His victory is seen as a bellwether for the rising influence of progressive and democratic socialist politics in major U.S. cities.
