Zoran Mamdani has been sworn in as mayor of New York, becoming the first Muslim and the youngest person ever to take the oath of office in America’s largest city.
Mamdani, a Democrat, was sworn in shortly after midnight Thursday at a historic decommissioned subway station in Manhattan, placing his hand on the Quran.
“This is truly an honor and a once-in-a-lifetime privilege,” Mamdani said.
The ceremony, conducted by political ally New York Attorney General Letitia James, took place at Old City Hall Station, one of the city’s original subway stations, known for its impressive vaulted ceiling.
He will be sworn in again in a more grand manner at a public ceremony at City Hall at 1 p.m. (6 p.m. local time) by one of the mayor’s political heroes, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. Following that, the new administration plans to hold what it is billing as a public block party on a stretch of Broadway known as the “Canyon of Heroes,” famous for its ticker-tape parades.
Mamdani is now beginning one of the most relentless jobs in American politics as one of the country’s most-watched politicians.
In addition to being the city’s first Muslim mayor, Mamdani is also the city’s first South Asian and first African-born mayor. At 34 years old, Mamdani is the city’s youngest mayor ever.
In a campaign that helped make “affordability” a buzzword across the political spectrum, the Democratic Socialists promised to bring about change with policies aimed at lowering the cost of living in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
His platform included free child care, free buses, a rent freeze for about 1 million households, and a pilot program for city-run grocery stores.
But he also has to face other responsibilities. While they deal with garbage, snow, and rats, they are also held accountable for subway delays and potholes.
Tension with President Trump
Mamdani will also have to deal with Republican President Donald Trump.
During the mayoral race, Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from the city if Mamdani won, mused about sending the National Guard to New York City and suggested Mamdani should be deported.
He also called Mamdani a “100% communist lunatic” in a social media post.
But Trump finally invited Democrats to the White House for a friendly meeting in November, surprising supporters and enemies alike.
“I want him to do a great job and I’m going to help him do a great job,” Trump said during the meeting, and the US president also came to Mamdani’s aid while the two addressed reporters.
When a journalist asked Mamdani if he continued to see Trump as a fascist, the president intervened.
Trump told Mamdani: “It’s okay. Just say it. It’s easier that way.” “It’s easier than explaining. I don’t mind.”
Still, tensions persist between the two.
After the meeting, Mamdani said he still believed Trump was a fascist.
“I’ve said it in the past and I’ll say it again today,” Mamdani told NBC News.
Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, the son of Mira Nair, a film director, and Mahmoud Mamdani, an academic and writer. Mamdani’s family moved to New York City when she was 7 years old, and she grew up in a city where Muslims weren’t always welcomed after 9/11. He became a US citizen in 2018.
He campaigned for Democratic candidates in the city before running for public office himself, and in 2020 won a state House seat representing part of Queens.
Still, Mamdani had little name recognition when he began his mayoral campaign late last year.
But heading into the Democratic primary, he quickly rose in the polls with a message focused on lowering the cost of living.
Mamdani ultimately defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo twice, once winning the Democratic nomination in June and again in the November election.
