Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s mayor on Thursday, pledging a bold agenda that could redefine left-wing politics in America’s largest city. Thousands braved freezing temperatures to witness the 34-year-old Democrat’s inauguration, marking a rapid rise from relative obscurity to the city’s highest office in just over a year.
“They want to know if the left can govern. They want to know if the struggles that afflict them can be solved,” Mamdani told supporters outside City Hall. “We will do something that New Yorkers do better than anyone else: we will set an example for the world.”
In a 24-minute address, the city’s first Muslim mayor promised expansive and audacious governance. Central to his vision are tackling the high cost of living and supporting those “betrayed by the established order.” Mamdani’s speech resonated with left-wing allies such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who spoke to some 4,000 ticketed guests.
“Thank you for giving us, from coast to coast, the hope and the vision that we can create government that works for all, not just the wealthy and the few,” Sanders said. At moments, the crowd erupted in chants of “tax the rich,” echoing Mamdani’s plan to raise taxes on New York’s wealthiest.
Thousands more gathered in downtown Manhattan, donning yellow-and-blue “Zohran” beanies to watch the event on large screens. “This is the first time that either of us in our entire lives has felt some kind of political hope at all,” said Jacob Byerly, a 31-year-old scientist, alongside his wife Auburn.
An Ambitious Agenda
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, steps into office as former President Donald Trump pushes a hard-right agenda. His ambitious program includes rent freezes, universal childcare, and free public transportation, though whether he can deliver on these promises remains to be seen.
Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Mamdani, previously held surprisingly cordial discussions with him at the White House in November. Immigration enforcement may become a flashpoint, as Mamdani vows to protect immigrant communities amid Trump’s nationwide crackdown. Before the November vote, Trump even threatened to cut federal funding for the city, calling Mamdani a “communist lunatic,” while the mayor has openly labeled Trump a fascist.
A Symbolic Inauguration
The inauguration was rich in symbolism. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who successfully prosecuted Trump for fraud, conducted a private midnight swearing-in at an abandoned subway station, reflecting Mamdani’s commitment to working people. In a first for New York City, Mamdani took the oath using the Quran.
Born in Uganda to an Indian family and raised in New York from the age of seven, Mamdani enjoyed an elite upbringing before diving into politics. Despite his limited political experience, he has assembled a team of seasoned aides from prior mayoral administrations and the Biden government.
He has also engaged with business leaders, many of whom had predicted a wealthy exodus, a notion already debunked by real estate experts. As a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights, Mamdani faces the challenge of reassuring the city’s large Jewish community. A small protest group waving Israeli flags briefly disrupted his speech with air horns, but the inauguration remained a celebration of hope and possibility.
With an ambitious agenda, inclusive vision, and a personal story that reflects New York’s diversity, Zohran Mamdani signals the beginning of a new chapter for the city — one defined by progressive policies and the promise that politics can indeed serve everyone, not just the privileged few.
