New York: New York entered a new political chapter just after midnight on Thursday as Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor at a historic, long-closed subway station beneath Manhattan.
The low-key ceremony took place at the old City Hall station, one of the city’s original subway stops, known for its sweeping arches and ornate design. Mamdani took the oath with his hand placed on a Quran, becoming the first Muslim mayor of America’s largest city. New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath.
A larger public inauguration is scheduled later in the day at City Hall, where US Senator Bernie Sanders will swear Mamdani in again. The event will be followed by a public celebration along Broadway’s famed Canyon of Heroes, a stretch traditionally associated with the city’s iconic ticker-tape parades.
At 34, Mamdani is the youngest person to hold the office in decades. He is also the city’s first mayor of South Asian descent and the first born in Africa. His rise places him among the most closely watched political figures in the country as he takes on one of the most demanding jobs in American public life.
Mamdani ran on a platform centered on affordability, a theme that resonated strongly in a city struggling with high rents and rising everyday costs. His proposals included free child care, fare-free buses, a rent freeze for roughly one million apartments, and a pilot program for city-run grocery stores. Alongside those ambitions, he now inherits the daily challenges of governing New York, from transit delays and sanitation to public safety and infrastructure.
This is now the official account of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Welcome to a new era for NYC. pic.twitter.com/sDyiGWUVeb
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 1, 2026
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani is the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani. His family moved to New York when he was seven, and he grew up in the city during the years following the September 11 attacks. He became a US citizen in 2018.
Before becoming mayor, Mamdani worked on several Democratic campaigns and later won a State Assembly seat in Queens in 2020. He and his wife, Rama Duwaji, will move from their rent-stabilized apartment to the official mayoral residence in Manhattan.
The new mayor takes office as New York continues its recovery from the pandemic. Violent crime has fallen to pre-pandemic levels, tourism has rebounded, and unemployment has stabilized. Yet affordability concerns remain widespread.
Mamdani is also expected to face political friction with Republican President Donald Trump, particularly on immigration and federal funding. While their relationship began with an unexpectedly cordial meeting, policy differences are likely to test it.
In recent weeks, Mamdani has focused on ensuring a smooth transition, assembling an experienced team and keeping Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch in place, a decision that reassured business and civic leaders as his administration begins.
