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Zohran Mamdani pledged on Thursday to demonstrate that progressive politics can thrive, as he assumed the office of New York City mayor for a term expected to pit him against President Donald Trump. Crowds braved cold weather in the nation’s largest city to celebrate Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democrat, following a remarkable rise from relative obscurity just a year prior.
“People want to see if the left can govern effectively. They want to know if the issues they face daily can be addressed,” Mamdani said outside City Hall. “We will do what New Yorkers do better than anyone else: we’ll set an example for the world,” he added during a 24-minute address.
As New York’s first Muslim mayor, Mamdani highlighted the high cost of living that had been central to his campaign, pledging support for those betrayed by the traditional power structures. Prominent allies such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also spoke in front of approximately 4,000 ticketed guests.
Meanwhile, thousands gathered in downtown Manhattan, many donning yellow and blue hats with “Zohran” written on them, to watch the ceremony on large screens. “This is the first time in our lives that we’ve felt genuine political hope,” said 31-year-old scientist Jacob Byerly, alongside his wife Auburn.
His agenda is ambitious—rent freezes, universal childcare, and free public transportation are among his proposals. However, experts suggest the implementation of these promises may depend heavily on how President Trump behaves, as he has openly criticized Mamdani and previously threatened to cut federal funding to New York if Mamdani was elected, calling him a “communist lunatic.” Mamdani has described Trump as a fascist.
The inauguration itself was laden with symbolism. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who successfully sued Trump for fraud, performed a private midnight swearing-in at an abandoned subway station. Mamdani’s office noted that this modest venue reflected his commitment to working people. For the first time in the city’s history, Mamdani took his oath using three Qurans—two from his family and one belonging to Arturo Schomburg, a Black writer born in Puerto Rico, reported The New York Times.
He transitioned from a rent-controlled apartment in Queens to Gracie Mansion, the official mayoral residence in Manhattan. Some questioned whether he would move into the mansion, considering his focus on affordability, but Mamdani cited security as the primary reason for the move. Born in Uganda to a family of Indian descent, Mamdani moved to New York at age seven, enjoying an affluent upbringing and having limited political experience. To compensate, he has assembled a team of seasoned advisors from past administrations and the Biden government.
He has also initiated dialogues with business leaders, some of whom predicted a mass exodus of wealthy residents if he won, though real estate experts have dismissed such claims. As an advocate for Palestinian rights, Mamdani must also reassure New York’s Jewish community—the largest in the U.S.—of his inclusive leadership. Recently, one staff member resigned after it was revealed she posted antisemitic tweets years earlier.
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