The 34-year-old Indian-descended politician, Zohran Mamdani, has become the first Muslim leader of the largest US city
A democratic socialist and previously little-known state lawmaker, Zohran Mamdani, has been sworn in as the 110th mayor of New York City, the first Muslim and African-born person of Indian descent to hold this position.
The 34-year-old politician took his midnight oath on a centuries-old Quran in a long-closed subway station beneath City Hall on Thursday. At a public inauguration speech outside City Hall later that day, Mamdani strongly embraced his democratic socialist ideology, vowing to “govern expansively and audaciously.”
“My fellow New Yorkers – today marks the start of a new era!” he declared in a nearly 25-minute address before a crowd of around 4,000 people.
“I was elected as a Democratic socialist and I will govern as one,” he said. “I will not abandon my principles out of fear of being considered radical.”
Mamdani promised to pursue universal childcare, a rent freeze, free buses, and a tax on the wealthiest residents to fund his agenda. He clearly rejected the influence of wealth and power in city governance, vowing to answer to the people, not to “any billionaire or oligarch who thinks they can buy our democracy.”
The ceremony was attended by progressive allies such as Sen. Bernie Sanders, who administered the public oath, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who hailed the election as a response to “untenable and unprecedented times.”
Mamdani’s radical political stance has been a focus of controversy and criticism from both conservatives and fellow Democrats. Mamdani has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which he has described as “genocide,” and has promised to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under an International Criminal Court warrant if he visits New York. In response, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams issued executive orders opposing divestment from Israel and banning protests near houses of worship.
President Donald Trump, who during the campaign labeled Mamdani a “communist lunatic” and threatened to cut federal funding to the city, struck a notably different tone after a White House meeting in November.
“I can tell you, some of my views have changed… I feel very confident that he can do a very good job,” Trump said. Mamdani, on his part, said the meeting was “productive” but later reaffirmed that he still regards Trump as a “fascist.”
Mamdani struck a unifying note in his inaugural speech, promising to represent all New Yorkers. “Regardless of our differences, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn with you, and never hide from you,” he said.