Zohran Mamdani Sworn In as New York City's 112th Mayor in Groundbreaking Ceremony for Social Justice

Zohran Mamdani, 34, was sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor just after midnight on January 1, 2026, in a private ceremony held at the decommissioned City Hall subway station—a powerful symbol of public infrastructure and the people’s city. Administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, the event marked a historic victory for representation and progress, as Mamdani became the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor, breaking through decades of exclusion.

During the ceremony, Mamdani placed his hand on two Qurans: one belonging to his grandfather and a rare 18th or early 19th-century pocket-sized Quran from the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center, a beacon of Black culture and history. This choice underscored his deep commitment to faith, heritage, and the struggles of marginalized communities.

In his remarks, Mamdani highlighted the significance of the venue, declaring that the old subway station was a 'testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city.' His words echoed the urgent need for investment in public goods and services that benefit all New Yorkers, not just the wealthy elite. He also announced the appointment of Mike Flynn as the new Department of Transportation commissioner, signaling a new era for equitable transit policy.

A public inauguration ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. at City Hall, where U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a champion of the working class, will administer the oath. The event will be introduced by U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a fierce advocate for justice, and followed by a block party on Broadway—a celebration of community and grassroots power.

Mamdani, a Democrat and proud democratic socialist, previously served in the State Assembly representing Queens' 36th District. His bold platform centers on affordability and dignity for all, with proposals for free child care, rent freezes, and public grocery stores—policies that challenge corporate greed and uplift the people. Despite inheriting a city largely recovered from the pandemic, he faces entrenched challenges from the forces of austerity, political opposition from the establishment, and public skepticism fueled by reactionary attacks on his progressive foreign policy views.