NEW YORK (AP) – Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as the mayor of New York City on Thursday, promising to reshape the government to better serve the city’s working class. The Democrat took his oath in a decommissioned subway station beneath City Hall shortly after midnight, using a Quran. This historic event marked him as the first Muslim mayor of the city.
Later in the day, Mamdani returned to City Hall for a grand inaugural ceremony where U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a political mentor, administered the oath a second time. During his speech, Mamdani emphasized his commitment to bold governance, stating, “Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed, but never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
In front of an enthusiastic crowd that braved the cold at the “Canyon of Heroes,” Mamdani focused on the need for government intervention to support those struggling with the high costs of living. Sanders echoed this sentiment, arguing that ensuring affordable housing is a moral imperative rather than a radical idea.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez praised Mamdani as a mayor devoted to the working class, declaring, “It is the people of New York who have chosen historic, ambitious leadership in response to untenable and unprecedented times.” The inauguration saw performances including a song from actor Mandy Patinkin and an original poem by poet Cornelius Eady.
Not only is Mamdani the first Muslim mayor of New York, but he is also the first mayor of South Asian descent and the youngest in generations at the age of 34. His policies aim to lower living costs in one of the world’s priciest cities with initiatives like free childcare, free public transportation, a rent freeze for 1 million households, and pilot grocery stores run by the city.
Mamdani’s challenge includes managing essential city services such as waste collection and public transit, alongside the expectations for visible change. He was born in Kampala, Uganda, and relocated to New York City at the age of 7, growing up amidst the complexities of post-9/11 America. An American citizen since 2018, he served in the state Assembly before his mayoral campaign.
While Mamdani steps into office at a time when New York City is recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic—with crime rates falling to pre-pandemic levels and tourism rebounding—challenges like exorbitant rents and living costs persist. Additionally, he will face scrutiny from various groups, given his past criticisms of Israeli policies, and some members of the Jewish community have expressed skepticism towards him. Trump made headlines during the election cycle for threatening funding cuts if Mamdani won, yet their post-election meeting was unexpectedly cordial.
As he builds his administration, Mamdani has welcomed experienced advisors, including retaining Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to alleviate concerns about radical shifts in policing strategies. With a progressive agenda and significant expectations, the new mayor embarks on a mission to bring substantial change to the lives of New Yorkers.
