Zohran Mamdani Sworn In as NYC’s 112th Mayor
NEW YORK CITY – Just seconds after the crystal ball dropped in Times Square to ring in 2026, New York City entered a new era. In a somber yet theatrical midnight ceremony held deep beneath the streets of Manhattan, Zohran Kwame Mamdani was sworn in as the 112th Mayor of the City of New York.
🚇 An Underground Oath
Breaking with the tradition of grand ballroom ceremonies, Mamdani chose the decommissioned City Hall subway station—a shuttered 1904 Beaux-Arts masterpiece known for its vaulted tile ceilings and crystal chandeliers—to take his official oath.
"I stand here in a station built by the working people of this city, a testament to the public transit that is our lifeblood," Mamdani said, his voice echoing through the tiled gallery. "Today, we don't just take office; we take back the city for the people who keep it running."
The oath was administered byNew York Attorney General Letitia James. In a moment of deep personal and historical significance, Mamdani placed his hand on two Qurans: one belonging to his grandfather and another belonging to the legendary Black historian Arturo Schomburg, on loan from the New York Public Library.
🏆 A Trailblazing Victory
At 34, Mamdani is the youngest mayor New York has seen in over a century. His inauguration marks a series of historic firsts for the nation's largest city:
First Muslim Mayor of New York City.
First South Asian Mayor.
First Mayor born in Africa (Uganda).
Mamdani’s rise follows a seismic 2025 election where the former State Assemblyman and Democratic Socialist defeated a formidable field, including former Governor Andrew Cuomo (who ran as an independent) and Republican Curtis Sliwa. His campaign, centered on a "Radical Affordability" platform, promised rent freezes on rent-stabilized units and a city-run grocery store system.
📋 The "Day One" Agenda
Following the oath, Mamdani performed the traditional $9 payment to City Clerk Michael McSweeney to sign the official registry. He also announced his first major cabinet appointment: Mike Flynn as the new Department of Transportation Commissioner, signaling an immediate shift toward his "Free the Bus" initiative.
The midnight crowd was small but star-studded, featuring his wife Rama Duwaji, his mother (filmmaker Mira Nair), and his father (professor Mahmood Mamdani). Also in attendance were members of his inaugural committee, including actor John Turturro and author Colson Whitehead.
🗓️ What’s Next: The Public Celebration
The celebrations are far from over. New Yorkers can expect a massive day of events:
1:00 PM: A grand public inauguration on the steps of City Hall. The ceremonial oath will be administered by Senator Bernie Sanders, with a keynote address by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
2:30 PM: The "Canyon of Heroes" block party. A car-free celebration along Broadway featuring music, interfaith blessings, and local food vendors.
Would you like me to find a map of the road closures for today's block party or the full list of Mayor Mamdani’s first-day executive orders?