In an underground event held just after midnight on Wednesday, Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as the 112th mayor of New York City. At 34, he is the youngest in recent history to take on this role and also the first Muslim to do so.
The intimate ceremony took place at an old subway station beneath City Hall, a site chosen by the new democratic socialist mayor to reflect his vision for the city. Mamdani described the location as emblematic of his commitment to improving public transportation and enhancing the city’s vitality and legacy.
“Standing here in the historic City Hall subway station as I take my oath is a testament to the crucial role of public transit in our city’s future,” Mamdani declared.
New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who played a significant role in Mamdani’s campaign, officiated the swearing-in.
“This is the greatest honor and privilege of my life,” Mamdani expressed, surrounded by his wife, illustrator Rama Duwaji, and his parents, Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair.
A more grandiose inauguration is planned for Thursday afternoon, where Mamdani will be officially sworn in on the steps of City Hall. Thousands of supporters are anticipated to gather for what his team is calling a public “block party.” Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an influential figure for Mamdani, is expected to officiate the ceremony.
Mamdani used the setting Thursday morning to announce his pick for city Transportation Commissioner — Mike Flynn, whose likely selection was reported Wednesday by the Daily News.
“I can think of no better moment to announce our new Department of Transportation Commissioner than this,” he added, calling Flynn to the station steps. “We embark on an administration that will take seriously the responsibility and the opportunity we have to make this streetscape and the public transit of the city we call home the envy of the world,” the mayor said.
After running a campaign centered on making the city more affordable, Mamdani is expected to face pressure to quickly deliver on his main promises to freeze rent for stabilized tenants, make public buses free and drastically expand fully subsidized childcare.
Mamdani’s childcare proposal appears another top priority, especially as Gov. Hochul has voiced public support for it. Questions remain, though, over how an expansion of free childcare will be funded.
Mamdani has proposed jacking up taxes on millionaires and corporations in order to raise billions of dollars in new revenue required to bankroll both his bus and childcare plans.
Hochul, who’s up for reelection this year, is opposed to a new tax on the wealthy, but hasn’t closed the door on putting increased levies on corporations doing business in New York. Tax rates are set by the state, meaning any increases will all but certainly need the support of the governor.
In addition to being the city’s first Muslim mayor, he’s also its first of South Asian descent, with his parents having immigrated to the U.S. after being born in India.
“He has lead people ever since he could,” Nair, the Mayor’s mother, told reporters. “But this was unimaginable, but, I think, quite beautiful. And I think, really, it’ll be the dawn of a new day.”
Mamdani takes over the reins at City Hall after Eric Adams’ first and only term as mayor was marred by a number of scandals, including his now-dismissed federal corruption indictment.
On his way out, Adams took several steps to try and stymie Mamdani’s agenda, including by making several appointments this month to the Rent Guidelines Board in an effort to at least temporarily block the incoming mayor’s pledge to freeze rents for the city’s 2 million stabilized tenants.
Mamdani has vowed he’ll still be able to enact a rent freeze for each of the four years of his first term. He hasn’t elaborated on how he’ll be able to do so despite Adams’ moves.
