Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York mayor
Mamdani becomes city’s first Muslim mayor, youngest leader in generations, marking a historic moment for New York City.
Zohran Mamdani took the oath of office as mayor of New York City just after midnight on Thursday, stepping into history with a quiet yet powerful ceremony beneath Manhattan’s streets. At 34, Mamdani is not only the city’s youngest mayor in generations, but also its first Muslim mayor, the first of South Asian descent, and the first to be born in Africa to lead the United States’ largest city.
The swearing-in took place at the long-closed City Hall subway station, one of New York’s most beautiful but least seen landmarks. With its vaulted arches and tiled ceilings, the decommissioned stop offered a striking backdrop for a moment that blended symbolism, faith, and civic tradition. Mamdani placed his hand on a Quran as he took the oath, administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a close political ally.
The understated ceremony, held just after midnight, reflected both reverence for the city’s past and a desire to signal a new beginning.
Later on Thursday, Mamdani is set to be sworn in again in a far more public setting. At 1pm local time, a ceremonial inauguration will take place at City Hall, administered by US Senator Bernie Sanders, a longtime political inspiration for the new mayor. The day will culminate in a celebratory block party along Broadway’s famed “Canyon of Heroes,” a stretch traditionally reserved for ticker-tape parades honoring astronauts, athletes, and heads of state.
Mamdani now assumes one of the most demanding and scrutinised jobs in American politics. As mayor of New York City, he will govern more than eight million residents and oversee a vast bureaucracy responsible for everything from policing and public transport to housing, sanitation, and emergency response. Every decision will be closely watched, not only because of the city’s global influence, but also because Mamdani represents a new political generation.
A Democrat and a self-described democratic socialist, Mamdani rose to prominence during a campaign that made “affordability” its central theme. In a city where rent, childcare, and basic living costs have pushed many residents to the brink, his message resonated widely, especially with younger voters and working-class families.
Throughout the campaign, Mamdani promised transformative policies aimed at easing the financial pressure of life in one of the world’s most expensive cities. His platform included free childcare, free bus services, a rent freeze for roughly one million rent-stabilised households, and a pilot programme for city-run grocery stores designed to lower food prices in underserved neighbourhoods.
Supporters see these proposals as bold and overdue. For them, Mamdani’s election represents a decisive shift away from incremental change toward a more interventionist city government willing to directly challenge inequality. Many credit his grassroots campaign style, frequent use of public transit, and visible engagement with communities often ignored by city hall for helping him connect with voters.
Yet expectations are high, and challenges are immense. Even as he pushes ambitious social policies, Mamdani must also manage the everyday realities that define mayoral life in New York. He will be responsible for fixing potholes, managing snowstorms, addressing sanitation issues, and confronting the city’s perennial rat problem. Subway delays, trash collection failures, or public safety concerns will land squarely on his desk, regardless of their root causes.
Political opponents have already questioned whether Mamdani’s agenda is financially sustainable, warning of budget constraints and potential resistance from Albany and Washington. Others argue that translating activist-driven ideas into workable policy will test his ability to compromise and govern pragmatically.
Mamdani’s background has also drawn national attention. Born in Africa and raised across cultures, he embodies the global character of New York City itself. His inauguration as the city’s first Muslim mayor has been widely hailed by supporters as a milestone for representation, particularly at a time when Muslim communities in the US often face heightened scrutiny and political hostility.
At the same time, Mamdani has been careful to frame his leadership as inclusive rather than symbolic. In speeches, he has emphasised that his faith and heritage inform his values, but that his responsibility is to serve all New Yorkers, regardless of background or belief.
As dawn broke over the city on Thursday morning, Mamdani officially began his tenure with both celebration and pressure awaiting him. The grandeur of City Hall and the cheers of supporters along Broadway will soon give way to long meetings, difficult trade-offs, and relentless public scrutiny.
For now, however, the moment remains historic. In a hidden subway station built more than a century ago, New York City quietly welcomed a mayor who represents its evolving identity — young, diverse, ambitious, and determined to make a city famous for its resilience a little more affordable, and a little more fair, for those who call it home.