In a historic ceremony that marks a significant political shift, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the 110th mayor of New York City on Thursday. The 34-year-old democratic socialist, elected last November with a decisive mandate, immediately vowed to pursue an aggressive agenda focused on making America's largest metropolis more affordable for its working-class residents.
A Historic Inauguration and Bold Promises
The public swearing-in took place on the steps of City Hall, where Mamdani, a member of the Democratic Party's left-wing faction, addressed a crowd of several thousand. He pledged to answer to the city's eight million residents, not to "any billionaire or oligarch." His core campaign promises, which he reiterated in his speech, include implementing universal childcare, freezing rents, and introducing free bus service across the city's boroughs.
"I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist," Mamdani declared, setting the tone for his administration. Prior to the public event, in a symbolic move, he was privately sworn in during the first minutes of the New Year at the decommissioned historic City Hall subway station. Reflecting his faith, he used a Quran for the oath, a first for a New York City mayor.
National Spotlight and Political Reactions
The inauguration program featured prominent democratic socialist allies, including U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Sanders, whom Mamdani calls his inspiration, defended the mayor's agenda, stating that affordable housing is "the right and decent thing to do." The crowd erupted into chants of "tax the rich" when Sanders called for higher taxes on millionaires and billionaires.
However, the political divide was stark. Hours after taking office, the Republican campaign arm for the U.S. House of Representatives labeled Mamdani a "radical socialist." Spokesperson Mike Marinella stated that Mamdani's actions would highlight Democratic Party failures for the 2026 elections, signaling the new mayor's expected role on the national political stage.
Mamdani, a former state lawmaker, inspired a record-breaking turnout of over 2 million voters in November, securing 50% of the vote and finishing nearly 10 points ahead of his closest rival. His campaign, which raised $2.6 million for the transition from nearly 30,000 contributors, focused intensely on the rising cost of living.
Policy Roadmap and Early Decisions
Dean Fuleihan, the incoming deputy mayor, told the Financial Times that the administration plans to increase taxes on millionaires to fund Mamdani's promises and balance the city's budget. He expressed confidence that this would not drive wealthy residents away. This puts Mamdani at odds with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who opposes raising personal income taxes but is considering corporate tax hikes.
In an early policy reversal, Mamdani announced on Wednesday that he would no longer seek to end mayoral control of New York City's vast public school system. Instead, he named veteran educator Kamar Samuels as the new chancellor.
The Uganda-born mayor, a sharp critic of former President Donald Trump, will now move from his rent-stabilized one-bedroom apartment in Astoria to the official mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion. While bankers and financial leaders in the city initially expressed concern, many are now exploring ways to work with the new administration. For countless New Yorkers like campaign volunteer Mae Hardman-Hill, 27, Mamdani's rise represents hope for "regular people to get some power back again" in an increasingly unaffordable city.
