New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was sworn in at a decommissioned subway station on New Year’s Day after rising to fame last year.
Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, was sworn in ahead of his inauguration ceremony, just weeks after winning the crowded race to become New York City‘s mayor. Mamdani beat out former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams dropped his reelection campaign, but remained on the ballot as Mamdani won.
“This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani said in his speech.
Mamdani, the first Muslim mayor of New York City, placed his hand on a Quran when taking his oath. The ceremony was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, known in part for her dust-ups with President Donald Trump.
Mamdani will be sworn in again at a public ceremony at City Hall at 1 p.m. by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). This event is open to 4,000 ticketed guests.
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“For the many New Yorkers who have long felt betrayed by a broken status quo, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez embodies a new kind of politics that puts working people at the heart of it,” Mamdani said in a statement ahead of his swearing in. “I’ve been so proud to count her as a partner across the many stages of our people-powered movement—from the primary campaign to our Forest Hills rally in October to the very first day of the transition—and I’m honored that she’ll be a part of our historic City Hall inauguration.”
All eyes will be on Mamdani as he assumes his position in one of the largest cities in the United States to see how his policies work and how he responds to Trump, who has long been known to go after states and cities with Democratic leadership.