Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York City on Thursday during a public ceremony on the steps of City Hall. He said his administration would pursue policies aimed at addressing affordability concerns for working residents in the nation’s largest city.
Mamdani, a Democrat aligned with the party’s democratic socialist wing, won the mayoral election last November. His victory has attracted national attention ahead of U.S. midterm elections that will determine control of Congress. Some Democrats have welcomed his approach, while Republicans have criticised it.
The 34-year-old focused his campaign on cost-of-living issues and was openly critical of Republican President Donald Trump. Many of New York City’s roughly 8 million residents are watching closely as he begins his term, with varying expectations about how his leadership will affect the city.
In his speech following the swearing-in ceremony, Mamdani highlighted key campaign pledges, including universal childcare, affordable rents, and free bus service. “We will answer to all New Yorkers, not to any billionaire or oligarch who thinks they can buy our democracy,” he said. “I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist.”
The inauguration program included remarks from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Sanders defended Mamdani’s policy goals, saying, “Making sure that people can live in affordable housing is not radical. It is the right and decent thing to do.” Members of the crowd later chanted “tax the rich” in response to calls for higher taxes on wealthy Americans.
Despite below-freezing temperatures, several thousand people attended the event, with additional viewers watching a livestream set up along Broadway. Supporters at the ceremony said they viewed Mamdani’s election as a response to long-standing affordability challenges in the city.
Earlier in the day, Mamdani was privately sworn in shortly after midnight at the former City Hall subway station. Reflecting his Muslim faith, he used a Quran for the oath of office, marking the first time a New York City mayor has done so.
Republican groups criticized Mamdani shortly after he took office, describing him as a “radical socialist” and signaling that they plan to make him a focal point in upcoming national elections.
A former state lawmaker, Mamdani campaigned on proposals such as rent freezes, free public transportation, and expanded childcare. His incoming deputy mayor has said the administration plans to pursue higher taxes on millionaires to help fund these policies and balance the city’s budget, adding that officials do not expect significant numbers of wealthy residents to leave the city as a result.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has said she opposes raising personal income taxes but is considering higher corporate taxes to address potential budget shortfalls linked to federal funding cuts.
Mamdani has already reversed one campaign position, announcing he will no longer seek to end mayoral control of the city’s public school system and appointing veteran educator Kamar Samuels as schools chancellor.
Born in Uganda, Mamdani has been a vocal critic of Trump on issues such as immigration. His campaign and transition raised $2.6 million from nearly 30,000 donors. He will move from his apartment in Astoria to Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City’s mayor. Some leaders in the city’s financial sector who initially expressed concern have since begun discussions about working with the new administration.
