Key Takeaways
- Zohran Mamdani has been sworn in as the new mayor of New York City, promising to transform government on behalf of the city’s working class.
- Mamdani, a Democrat and the city’s first Muslim mayor, has pledged to use government power to improve the lives of New Yorkers, including taxing the rich and providing free child care and bus rides.
- The new mayor faces challenges such as handling trash, snow, and rats, while also addressing concerns about high prices and rising rents.
- Mamdani’s inauguration was attended by notable figures such as U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who praised the city’s choice of "courage over fear."
- The new mayor inherits a city on the upswing after years of slow recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, but deep concerns remain about affordability and rising rents.
Introduction to Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat, was sworn in as the new mayor of New York City on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at a decommissioned subway station below City Hall. He took his oath on a Quran, marking a historic moment as the city’s first Muslim mayor. Mamdani, who is also the city’s first mayor of South Asian descent and the first to be born in Africa, promised to govern expansively and audaciously, using government power to improve the lives of New Yorkers. At 34, Mamdani is also the city’s youngest mayor in generations.
Inauguration Ceremony
The inauguration ceremony was attended by notable figures such as U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who administered the oath for a second time, and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who praised the city’s choice of "courage over fear." The ceremony was held at the Old City Hall subway station, where Mamdani had earlier taken his oath. The event was also attended by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who prepared to administer the oath of office to Mamdani. The invocation was given by Imam Khalid Latif, the director of the Islamic Center of New York City, and poet Cornelius Eady read an original poem called "Proof."
Mamdani’s Platform
Mamdani’s campaign focused on using government power to lift up the millions of people who struggle with the city’s high cost of living. He promised to provide free child care, free buses, a rent freeze for about 1 million households, and a pilot of city-run grocery stores. Mamdani also pledged to tax the rich, a move that was supported by Sanders, who told the crowd that making sure people can live in affordable housing is not radical, but the right and decent thing to do. Mamdani insisted that he will not squander his opportunity to implement these policies, saying that a moment like this comes rarely, and he will not surrender to small imagination and smaller ambition.
Challenges Ahead
As the new mayor, Mamdani will face various challenges, including handling trash, snow, and rats, while also addressing concerns about high prices and rising rents. He will have to navigate the complexities of city governance, including managing the city’s budget, addressing public safety concerns, and improving the city’s infrastructure. Additionally, Mamdani will have to deal with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a significant impact on the city’s economy and residents. Despite these challenges, Mamdani’s supporters are optimistic that he will be a unifying force and bring about positive change to the city.
Biography of Zohran Mamdani
Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, an academic and author. His family moved to New York City when he was 7, and Mamdani grew up in a post-9/11 city where Muslims didn’t always feel welcome. He became an American citizen in 2018 and worked on political campaigns for Democratic candidates in the city before seeking public office himself. Mamdani won a state Assembly seat in 2020 to represent a section of Queens and is now the city’s youngest mayor in generations. He and his wife, Rama Duwaji, are departing their one-bedroom, rent-stabilized apartment in the outer borough to take up residence in the stately mayoral residence in Manhattan.
Relationship with Trump
During the mayoral race, President Donald Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from the city if Mamdani won and mused about sending National Guard troops to the city. However, Trump surprised supporters and foes alike by inviting Mamdani to the White House for a cordial meeting in November. Despite this meeting, tensions between the two leaders are almost certain to resurface, given their deep policy disagreements, particularly over immigration. Mamdani’s supporters expressed optimism that he would be a unifying force, despite the challenges that lie ahead. As one supporter, Mary Hammann, said, "This feels like a moment where everyone in New York comes together, like when the Mets won the World Series in ’86 — just colder."
