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Zohran Mamdani, a progressive candidate from the left, is preparing to assume the mayoralty of New York City. On December 30, 2025, he delivered a speech at Elmhurst Hospital Center in Queens, shortly before his inauguration. The official swearing-in will be administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James during a private ceremony at midnight, marking the start of his four-year term. A larger, public celebration with speeches from Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is scheduled for Thursday outside City Hall, with approximately 4,000 invited guests expected to attend. To accommodate additional viewers, a block party along Broadway has been organized to broadcast the event live on the streets for tens of thousands of residents.
Mamdani, 34, will transfer from his rent-controlled apartment in Queens to the mayor’s residence in Manhattan, explaining that security concerns influenced his decision. His campaign centered on affordability issues, and his modest choice of inauguration venue reflects his focus on working-class voters. Born in Uganda to a family of Indian descent and moving to New York at age seven, Mamdani has experienced an elite upbringing and has served briefly in politics, including time in the New York State Assembly.
Despite his limited experience, Mamdani is assembling a team of seasoned advisers from previous mayoral offices and the Biden administration. He has engaged with business leaders, some of whom initially predicted a significant exodus of wealthy residents if he was elected, though real estate professionals have dismissed these fears. As a supporter of Palestinian rights, Mamdani faces the challenge of reassuring the Jewish community of his inclusive leadership. Recently, one of his hires resigned after it was revealed she had posted anti-Semitic tweets years earlier.
The upcoming inauguration ceremony will emphasize his progressive platform, which includes rent freezes, expanded access to childcare, and free public transportation. Mamdani’s opponent, former President Donald Trump, has been a vocal critic, though the two have recently engaged in unexpectedly cordial discussions at the White House. Trump, a fellow New Yorker, has criticized Mamdani publicly and threatened to cut federal funding to New York if Mamdani won, labeling him a “communist lunatic.” Mamdani has criticized Trump as a fascist.
The event includes a private swearing-in performed by Attorney General James and a ceremonial public inauguration, featuring speeches from key allies on the left. There will also be a streetside block party along Broadway to allow residents to witness the festivities. Mamdani’s transition marks a significant change from his previous modest living arrangements to the responsibilities of leading the nation’s largest city, with security being a primary reason for his move into official residence. Despite questions about his political inexperience, Mamdani is surrounding himself with experienced staff and maintaining dialogue with local business leaders to ensure a smooth transition.
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