Sworn in on New Year’s Day in a ceremony rich in symbolism and political intent, New York City’s new mayor Zohran Mamdani set out an ambitious vision for the city, pledging to govern “expansively and audaciously” and to prove that progressive politics can deliver tangible change for millions of residents long squeezed by the cost-of-living crisis.
Mamdani, who took office shortly after midnight before addressing a larger public gathering outside City Hall later in the day, framed his inaugural speech as a turning point not only for New York but for progressive politics more broadly.
“Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously,” he told cheering supporters braving freezing temperatures in Manhattan. “We may not always succeed, but never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
The new mayor said his administration would no longer hesitate to use the power of City Hall to improve people’s lives, rejecting arguments that the era of strong public intervention is over. “No longer will City Hall hesitate to use its power to improve New Yorkers’ lives,” he said, arguing that previous administrations had abandoned millions struggling to make ends meet.
A global test for the political left
Acknowledging the scrutiny facing his administration, Mamdani said New York would become a test case for whether the political left can govern effectively.
“Many are watching us. They want to know if the left can govern. They want to know if the struggles they face can be solved,” he said. “Standing together, we will do what New Yorkers do better than anyone else: we will set an example for the world.”
His remarks echoed central themes of his election campaign, which focused heavily on affordability, with pledges on accessible housing, public transport, and childcare forming the backbone of his agenda.
A historic inauguration
Mamdani’s inauguration was marked by a series of firsts. He became the first Muslim, the first South Asian, and the first African-born mayor of New York City. His midnight oath of office was taken on a Quran, a first in the city’s history, underscoring the symbolic weight of the moment.
Later in the day, the oath was administered again in a public ceremony by US Senator Bernie Sanders, one of Mamdani’s most prominent political inspirations. The event drew hundreds of supporters to the area south of City Hall, along the stretch of Broadway known as the “Canyon of Heroes”.
Defying critics and political pressure
Elected in November with just under 51% of the vote, Mamdani prevailed over established political figures, including former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa of the New York Reform Party. His campaign unfolded amid strong opposition from US President Donald Trump, who had warned that federal funding for the city could be at risk if Mamdani won.
Despite the pressure, Mamdani has signalled he will press ahead with plans to raise taxes on millionaires, dismissing warnings that such policies could drive wealthy residents out of the city. He was elected against a backdrop of mounting public frustration over soaring rents, transport costs, and everyday expenses in the “Big Apple”.
The inauguration was attended by New York Governor Kathy Hochul and US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a vocal supporter of the new mayor.
As he begins his term, Mamdani has made clear that New York’s future will be shaped by what he described as boldness rather than caution, with the city positioned at the centre of a broader political and social experiment now being watched far beyond its borders.