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Zohran Mamdani, a rising star on the progressive left in the U.S., was officially sworn in as New York City’s mayor on Thursday, marking the start of a term likely to feature clashes with President Donald Trump. As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Day, Mamdani took his oath beneath an abandoned subway station, symbolizing his focus on working-class residents. At 34 years old, he is also the first Muslim to hold the mayoralty in New York.
His team chose the modest underground venue near City Hall to reflect his dedication to the common people, especially after campaigning on tackling skyrocketing living costs. Mamdani expressed his gratitude, telling reporters, “This is truly the honor and privilege of a lifetime.”
However, it remains uncertain whether Mamdani, who was largely unknown just a year ago, can implement his ambitious plans—including rent freezes, universal childcare, and free public transportation. Political analyst John Kane from New York University pointed out, “Once an election is over, symbolism only goes so far with voters. Results matter much more.”
The behavior of Donald Trump could be a key factor in Mamdani’s journey. The former president, also a New Yorker, has criticized Mamdani repeatedly but had a surprisingly cordial meeting with him at the White House in November. Columbia University professor Lincoln Mitchell said the encounter “couldn’t have gone better from Mamdani’s perspective,” though he cautioned that their relationship might quickly deteriorate. A potential point of contention could be immigration enforcement; Trump is increasingly cracking down on migrants nationwide, and Mamdani has promised to defend immigrant communities.
Before the November election, Trump threatened to cut federal funding for New York if Mamdani was elected, calling him a “communist lunatic.” Mamdani has publicly stated that he considers Trump a fascist.
For his private swearing-in, Mamdani was officiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James, known for prosecuting Trump on fraud charges. His formal inauguration later Thursday will feature speeches from prominent leftists like Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, with around 4,000 guests expected. Additionally, a block party organized by Mamdani’s team will allow tens of thousands to witness the event from street-side viewing areas along Broadway.
In a city first, Mamdani used multiple Qurans for his swearing-in, including two from his family and one that belonged to Arturo Schomburg, a Black writer born in Puerto Rico, reported The New York Times.
His new role means a move from his rent-controlled apartment in Queens to the mayor’s residence in Manhattan. Although some questioned whether he would choose to stay in the more affordable Queens housing, Mamdani said security concerns prompted the move.
Born in Uganda to a family of Indian descent, Mamdani moved to New York at age seven, enjoying an elite upbringing before briefly entering politics as a member of the New York State Assembly. To compensate for his limited political experience, he has assembled a team of seasoned advisers from previous city administrations and the Biden administration.
Mamdani has initiated outreach to business leaders, some of whom predicted a mass exodus of wealthy residents if he won. However, real estate experts have dismissed these claims. As an advocate for Palestinian rights, he will need to reassure Jewish communities of his inclusive leadership. Recently, one of his staff resignations followed revelations of antisemitic tweets posted years ago.
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