New York, January 1, 2026 – Zohran Kwame Mamdani officially assumed office as the 112th mayor of New York City just after midnight on January 1, 2026, in a symbolic and intimate ceremony held in the decommissioned Old City Hall subway station beneath City Hall. The 34-year-old democratic socialist, who stunned the political world by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo in both the Democratic primary and general election, placed his hand on the Quran as New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath, marking multiple historic firsts for the city.
Mamdani, born in Uganda to acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair and postcolonial scholar Mahmood Mamdani, becomes New York City's first Muslim mayor, first mayor of South Asian descent, and first mayor born in Africa. At age 34, he is also one of the youngest mayors in the city's modern history. His wife, artist Rama Duwaji, held two Qurans during the oath—one belonging to his grandfather and another historic edition from the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, believed to date back to the 1800s.
The choice of the abandoned beaux-arts subway station—a landmarked relic closed since 1945—as the venue underscored Mamdani's campaign themes of accessibility and honoring the working people who power the city. "This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime," Mamdani said briefly after the oath, before adding with a smile, "Thank you all so much … and I will see you later," referring to the larger public inauguration scheduled for later in the day.
The midnight swearing-in was attended by family, close allies, and a small group of supporters, including members of his inaugural committee featuring actors, writers, and community advocates. Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams also attended, emphasizing a smooth transition of power.
This private ceremony preceded a grand public event at City Hall, where U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders administered a ceremonial oath amid a massive block party along Broadway, drawing tens of thousands despite freezing temperatures. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced Mamdani, and performances highlighted the celebratory atmosphere. In his inaugural address, Mamdani vowed to govern "expansively and audaciously" as a democratic socialist, promising transformative policies on affordability, including universal child care, free public buses, and rent freezes for stabilized units.
"If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor," Mamdani declared, seeking to reassure skeptics while celebrating the city's diversity. He emphasized that his administration would use government power boldly to improve lives, rejecting claims that big initiatives are outdated.
Mamdani's rapid rise began as a New York State Assembly member representing Astoria, Queens, since 2020. A member of the Democratic Socialists of America, he announced his mayoral bid in October 2024 and upset establishment favorite Andrew Cuomo in the June 2025 Democratic primary. In the November general election, he secured over 50% of the vote, defeating Cuomo (running as an independent) and Republican Curtis Sliwa, in a race with the highest turnout since 1993.
His platform focused on tackling New York's affordability crisis—high rents, childcare costs, and transit fares—through progressive taxation on high earners and corporations, alongside investments in public services. Supporters hail his victory as a mandate for bold change, while critics, including President Donald Trump who once called him a "communist," express concerns over his socialist leanings. Mamdani met with Trump post-election, discussing housing and safety, with Trump later pledging support.
As Mamdani takes the helm of a city of 8.5 million, he inherits challenges like post-pandemic recovery, housing shortages, and public safety, alongside opportunities to reshape urban policy on a national stage. His administration has already begun appointments, signaling an ambitious start to what he calls "a new era" for New York.
This inauguration reflects broader shifts in American politics, with increasing representation of diverse backgrounds and progressive ideas in major cities. Observers note it as a milestone for Muslim and South Asian Americans in leadership roles.
