Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and former New York State assembly member, was sworn in on Thursday as the 112th mayor of New York City, pledging to govern “expansively and audaciously” and deliver an agenda focused on affordability, housing and economic fairness for the nation’s largest city.
Mamdani, 34, is the first Muslim and first South Asian mayor in the city’s history. He succeeds Eric Adams after winning the November mayoral election in a decisive three-way race.
Two Ceremonies Mark Historic Swearing-In
Mamdani formally assumed office just after midnight on January 1 in a private ceremony held inside the long-abandoned City Hall subway station, a historic transit hub closed to passengers since 1945.
The oath of office was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, with Mamdani joined by his wife, artist Rama Duwaji.
For the ceremony, Mamdani used two Qurans, one borrowed from the New York Public Library and another that belonged to his grandfather, underscoring the personal and symbolic significance of the moment.
Later in the day, Mamdani took the oath again at a public inauguration outside City Hall, where Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont administered the ceremonial swearing-in before thousands of supporters gathered in Lower Manhattan despite freezing temperatures.
‘We Will Govern Expansively and Audaciously’
In his inaugural address, Mamdani said his administration would pursue an ambitious governing agenda centered on affordability, safety and opportunity.
“Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously,” Mamdani said. “We may not always succeed, but never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
He said City Hall under his leadership would focus on making New York more affordable, confronting corporate power and ensuring that government reflects the diversity of the people it serves.
Progressive Leaders Attend Public Inauguration
The public ceremony drew several prominent progressive leaders, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senator Sanders, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and City Comptroller Mark Levine, who were also sworn in for their respective citywide offices.
Sanders, speaking before administering Mamdani’s oath, said the election demonstrated growing frustration among working-class voters with economic inequality.
“When working people stand together and refuse to be divided, there is nothing they cannot accomplish,” Sanders said.
Focus on Tax Fairness and Housing Affordability
Mamdani’s campaign, and now his early governing agenda, has placed a strong emphasis on taxing the ultra-wealthy and corporations to fund public services. During the campaign, he proposed raising New York City’s corporate tax rate and increasing taxes on high-income earners, though any such measures would require approval from the state legislature and governor.
Housing affordability was another central theme of his inauguration. Mamdani reiterated his pledge to freeze rents on rent-stabilised apartments, which make up roughly half of the city’s rental housing stock.
“Those in rent-stabilised homes should not have to dread another rent hike,” he said.
First-Day Actions on Housing
Only hours after taking office, Mamdani announced a series of executive actions related to housing, including the creation of new city task forces to assess city-owned land for housing development and to explore ways to accelerate construction while preserving affordability.
“These are first steps,” Mamdani said, adding that his administration would move quickly to address what he called the city’s “deep affordability crisis.”
A Historic Personal Journey
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani moved to New York City at the age of seven. He is the son of internationally acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani. He became a naturalised U.S. citizen in 2018.
During his public remarks, Mamdani thanked his parents and wife for their support, and reflected on his journey to City Hall.
New Leadership, High Expectations
Mamdani’s election marks a significant shift in New York City politics, bringing an openly democratic socialist into the mayor’s office at a time of rising concern over housing costs, inequality and public trust in government.
As his administration begins, supporters say they are hopeful his promises translate into tangible change, while critics warn that his ambitious agenda will face political and fiscal constraints.
For Mamdani, however, the message on his first day in office was clear: the city has entered a new chapter.
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