New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, at inauguration, vows to be a mayor for all New Yorkers, lead as democratic socialist
His inauguration makes history as he is the first Muslim mayor of New York.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who catapulted to national attention during the 2025 race for New York City mayor, said at his inauguration on Thursday that the start of his administration would mark a new beginning for the city and for people who had become disillusioned with politics.
He presented the moment as a unifying one, while saying he would not abandon the democratic socialist principles or the focus on affordability he had campaigned on.
"My fellow New Yorkers, today begins a new era," Mamdani said. "I stand before you, moved by the privilege of taking this sacred oath, humbled by the faith that you have placed in me, and honored to serve as either your 111th or 112th Mayor of New York City."
That line, which got some laughs, referenced the recent scholarly debate over the numbering of NYC mayors based on historical records. Mamdani is considered the 112th mayor according to the website of the mayor’s office.
"But I do not stand alone," he added, saying he stands alongside New Yorkers from all across the city and from many different backgrounds and professions -- as well as of different political views, he added later.
"I stand alongside over one million New Yorkers who voted for this day nearly two months ago, and I stand just as resolutely alongside those who did not. I know there are some who view this administration with distrust or disdain, or who see politics as permanently broken.
“And while only action can change minds, I promise you this: if you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor. Regardless of whether we agree, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn alongside you, and never -- not for a second -- hide from you."
Mamdani thanked his political allies, ranging from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to labor leaders such as the Democratic Socialists of America -- and also thanked his predecessor, now-former Mayor Eric Adams, despite the acrimonious relationship the two had during the mayoral election.
Mamdani said he thanked the people of New York most of all for the opportunity "to transform and reinvent," saying that it is rare to have such a moment and that he planned to govern "expansively and audaciously."
Mamdani had moderated some of his previous views on policing and other issues while he was campaigning, and during the mayoral transition had made picks for commissioners that observers saw as pragmatic choices that were at odds with his identification as a democratic socialist.
But he told the crowd he was not going back on those principles.
"We will govern without shame and insecurity, making no apology for what we believe. I was elected as a democratic socialist, and I will govern as a democratic socialist," he said to cheers.
The now-former state assemblyman was formally sworn in at midnight on New Year's Day 2026 in a ceremony that ushered in historic leadership for America’s largest city, as he becomes the city’s first Muslim mayor and first mayor of South Asian descent.
He took the oath office in during a private ceremony by New York Attorney General Letitia James, in the now-decommissioned original City Hall subway station, which is known for its ornate arches and tiled ceiling.
In a short speech after being sworn in by James, Mamdani said, “This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime.”
He also called the old station a “testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health, the legacy of our city,” as he pivoted to announcing his pick for Department of Transportation commissioner.
Mamdani was sworn in during the midnight ceremony on a centuries-old Qur’an from the New York Public Library's collections, the library said Wednesday.
Previous New York City mayors have also been formally sworn in at midnight, and can choose what book they use for the ceremony. Mayor Adams was sworn in using a family Bible.
At his public inauguration ceremony, Mamdani was sworn in by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Brooklyn-born independent and fellow democratic socialist who has been an ideological ally.
Sanders, speaking before ceremonially swearing in Mamdani, told the crowd, “New York, thank you for inspiring our nation. Thank you for giving us from coast to coast, the hope and the vision that we can create government that works for all, not just the wealthy and the few."
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a fellow democratic socialist who represents a swath of the Bronx and Queens, also delivered remarks.
She pointed to the historic nature of Mamdani’s ascension as mayor while framing him as in tune with all New Yorkers.
“Zohran Mamdani will be the first Muslim mayor of our great city. He will be our first immigrant mayor in over a century, and he will be the youngest mayor of New York City in generations. But most importantly, Zohran will be a mayor for all of us," she said.
Mitchell Moss, a professor of urban policy at New York University, told ABC News that having Sanders be a part of the inauguration makes a statement "that this is a national event … so I think that [Mamdani is] identifying his ideological roots and his connection to national politics."
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., the longtime top New York Democrat and the current Senate minority leader, attended the inauguration. Schumer never formally endorsed Mamdani during his mayoral campaign.
Mamdani triumphed over independent candidate former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa after campaigning largely on making the city more affordable, although he often faced questions over his relative lack of political experience and feasibility of his proposals. His campaign promises included a rent freeze for rent-stabilized apartments, free bus fares and free childcare for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.
During the campaign, he took stances on policing and public safety more moderate than how he had spoken about policing previously, and committed during his campaign to keeping on New York City’s current police commissioner, Jessica Tisch.
Mamdani will also face the challenge of translating his campaign promises into reality, which will include working with the state government, which controls taxes, and the city council on various city proposals.
Moss said that "no one expects a new mayor to do everything they promise, but they have to be making progress on their promises."
"So Mamdani has to have some wins this year, which lay the ground for bigger wins in the future. And I think the key part is that he has identified what he wants," Moss said.
The new mayor will also have to navigate the liberal-leaning city’s relationship with the Republican-controlled federal government. In November, Mamdani met with President Donald Trump in what was widely expected to be a contentious meeting, but ended up being very cordial.
During the meeting, Trump and Mamdani said they agreed on many things, after they had criticized each other for months during the campaign.
"I think you're going to have, hopefully, a really great mayor; and the better he does, the happier I am," Trump said at the time.
Neera Tanden, president of the liberal-leaning Center for American Progress, said on ABC’s "This Week" on Sunday that Mamdani "has to get the rents down. He has to make sure the city runs well."
"But I think a lot of people look at the fact that he was able to get Donald Trump to basically compliment him," she added.
ABC News' Ivan Pereira contributed to this report.
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