Zohran Mamdani Takes Office as NYC Mayor

Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist viewed by supporters as a bold reformer and by critics as a disruptive force, will officially assume office as mayor of New York City on Thursday. Leading a city of more than 8 million residents, Mamdani’s inauguration reflects both his political priorities and long-standing city traditions.

Under New York law, four-year mayoral terms begin on January 1 following an election. To avoid any uncertainty over leadership, the city has maintained a tradition of holding a low-key midnight swearing-in ceremony. Mamdani will follow that practice, taking his oath shortly after midnight before a larger public celebration later in the day.

In a symbolic departure from recent inaugurations, Mamdani has chosen the long-closed Old City Hall subway station as the site of his midnight oath. The station, decommissioned in the mid-20th century and accessible only through limited guided tours, was selected to underscore what his transition team described as a “commitment to the working people who keep the city running.”

At 34, Mamdani is one of the youngest mayors in the city’s history and its first Muslim mayor. Born in Uganda, he previously served as a state lawmaker and built his campaign around affordability, pledging a rent freeze along with free bus service and childcare. His platform helped drive a record turnout of more than 2 million voters, with Mamdani securing roughly 50 percent of the vote—nearly 10 points ahead of former governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and far ahead of Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

The midnight oath will be administered by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, one of Mamdani’s earliest high-profile supporters. Political analysts say her role in the ceremony signals Mamdani’s independence from President Donald Trump, whose administration has had a contentious relationship with James.

“Having the attorney general swear him in sends a message to Mamdani’s base that he intends to operate independently of the president,” said Grant Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University.

Mamdani has been a vocal critic of Trump, particularly on immigration policy, though he has acknowledged their political differences following a cordial White House meeting. Observers note that James’s role in the ceremony may speak more to Mamdani’s political alliances than his rivalries.

The afternoon inauguration will feature prominent progressive figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Sanders also presided over the public inauguration of former mayor Bill de Blasio in 2018, a leader Mamdani has cited as the best New York City mayor of his lifetime.

With a symbolic start underground and a public celebration above, Mamdani’s inauguration marks the beginning of a new political era in America’s largest city—one closely watched both locally and nationally as Democrats look toward future elections.