Zohran Mamdani was officially sworn in today as the 111th Mayor of New York City during a historic ceremony on the steps of City Hall. In an address delivered before thousands of residents, Mayor Mamdani signaled a new era for the nation’s largest city, pledging to prioritize the needs of working-class New Yorkers through a platform of democratic socialism.
MAYOR MAMDANI: “I promise you this: If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor. Regardless of whether we agree, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn alongside you and never — not for a second — hide from you.” pic.twitter.com/kp1id9i8wi
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 1, 2026
A Historic Swearing-In
Mayor Mamdani, 34, began his term with a private ceremony in the first minutes of the New Year at the historic, decommissioned City Hall subway station. Reflecting his heritage and faith, Mamdani took the oath of office using the Holy Quran—a first for a New York City mayor.
During the public ceremony, the Mayor was joined by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who both spoke in support of the administration’s vision for social and economic justice.
The “People’s Agenda”
In his inaugural address, Mayor Mamdani outlined a “People’s Agenda” designed to combat the rising cost of living and redistribute power within the city. Key pillars of the administration’s immediate plan include:
- Universal Childcare: Establishing a system to provide high-quality care for all New York families.
- Transit Equity: Implementing free bus service across the five boroughs to enhance mobility for low-income residents.
- Housing Stability: Pursuing an immediate freeze on rents and expanding protections for tenants.
- Fiscal Reform: Introducing a “Tax the Rich” initiative to fund essential public services and balance the city budget.
“We will answer to all New Yorkers, not to any billionaire or oligarch who thinks they can buy our democracy,” Mayor Mamdani told the cheering crowd. “I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist.”
Administrative Appointments
Marking his first major executive decision, Mayor Mamdani announced the appointment of veteran educator Kamar Samuels as Chancellor of the New York City public school system. In a move toward stability for the nation’s largest school district, the Mayor also confirmed he would maintain mayoral control of the schools to ensure the streamlined implementation of educational reforms.
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A Mandate for Change
Mayor Mamdani enters Gracie Mansion with a powerful mandate, having secured 50 percent of the vote in a record-breaking turnout of over 2 million voters. The transition was supported by an unprecedented $2.6 million raised from nearly 30,000 individual contributors, the highest number of grassroots donors for an inaugural transition in the city’s modern history.
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