On January 1, 2026, Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as the 112th Mayor of New York City, making history as the city's first Muslim mayor and its first self-identified Democratic Socialist in the modern era.
The transition of power was marked by two distinct ceremonies that highlighted his "working-class" platform and socialist ties.
1. The Underground Midnight Swearing-In
In a move heavy with symbolism, Mamdani took his official oath of office just after midnight in the decommissioned Old City Hall subway station.
* The Vibe: A private, intimate ceremony held beneath the city's streets.
* The Significance: Mamdani chose the site because it represents a "monument to a city that dared to build great things for working people."
* The Oath: Administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, Mamdani took the oath with his hand on a historic Quran from the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center collection.
2. The Public Inauguration at City Hall
Later that afternoon, a large public ceremony was held on the steps of City Hall, followed by a block party in the "Canyon of Heroes" (the stretch of Broadway usually reserved for ticker-tape parades).
* The Key Figure: U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a political mentor to Mamdani, administered the ceremonial oath of office.
* The Speech: Mamdani delivered a 25-minute address where he explicitly stated, "I was elected as a democratic socialist, and I will govern as a democratic socialist." He emphasized "audacious" government intervention to solve the city's affordability crisis.
* Political Presence: Other prominent figures from the left, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, were in attendance to celebrate what many called a "new era" for the city.
3. Key Policy Promises
During the ceremonies, Mamdani doubled down on his campaign's core "socialist" pillars:
* Free Transit: A plan to eliminate fares on all city buses.
* Rent Freeze: A proposed freeze on rent increases for nearly 1 million rent-stabilized households.
* Universal Childcare: Implementing no-cost childcare for all New Yorkers.
* Public Services: Launching a pilot program for city-run grocery stores to combat food deserts.
Would you like more details on the specific "Socialist" policy agenda Mamdani has proposed for his first 100 days in office?
Posts
0 Comments