NewYork – USA, The transition of power began in an unforgettable, unconventional setting. Just after midnight on Thursday, Zohran Mamdani took his oath of office in a historic, decommissioned subway station beneath Manhattan’s City Hall, known for its stunning arched ceilings.
With his hand placed on the Quran, Mamdani was sworn in by New York Attorney General Letitia James. “This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime,” he remarked, acknowledging the significance of the moment. The private ceremony was a prelude to a much grander public event scheduled later in the day, where U.S. Senator and political hero, Bernie Sanders, was set to administer the oath at City Hall, followed by a celebratory block party on the iconic “Canyon of Heroes” stretch of Broadway.
The Audacious Platform: Fighting the NYC Cost of Living
Mamdani, who proudly identifies as a democratic socialist, begins one of the most demanding jobs in American governance with a clear, transformative mandate: tackle New York City’s severe affordability crisis.
The 34-year-old’s campaign resonated deeply with voters struggling with the cost of living in one of the world’s most expensive cities. His bold platform promises include:
- A comprehensive rent freeze for approximately one million rent-stabilized households.
- Universal free childcare for young families.
- Eliminating fares for all city buses (creating free buses).
- A pilot program to launch city-run grocery stores to combat rising food prices.
In addition to being the city’s first Muslim mayor, Mamdani is also the first of South Asian descent and the first born in Africa, making his victory a true representation of the diverse metropolis he now leads.
Navigating Tensions with President Trump
Beyond city services—like dealing with rubbish, snow, and rats—Mamdani’s early term is complicated by a high-stakes relationship with Republican President Donald Trump.
The rivalry intensified during the mayoral race when Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from the city and even mused about the mayor-elect’s deportation, famously labeling Mamdani a “100% Communist Lunatic” on social media.
However, the political drama took a surprising turn when Trump invited the Democrat to the White House for a seemingly cordial November meeting. “I want him to do a great job and will help him do a great job,” Trump told reporters. In a memorable exchange, when a journalist pressed Mamdani on whether he still viewed Trump as a fascist, the President interjected to offer the mayor-elect an out.
Despite the handshake, Mamdani stood firm, telling NBC News after the meeting, “That’s something that I’ve said in the past; I say it today.” The tension between the city’s progressive leader and the federal administration remains palpable.
Zohran Mamdani’s Journey to City Hall
Born in Kampala, Uganda, to celebrated filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood Mamdani, Zohran Mamdani’s family moved to New York when he was seven. Growing up in a post-9/11 city where the Muslim community often faced hostility, his identity profoundly shaped his political perspective. He officially became a U.S. citizen in 2018.
Mamdani’s path to the mayor’s office was meteoric. After working on political campaigns, he won a State Assembly seat representing a section of Queens in 2020. Though he started his mayoral campaign with minimal name recognition, his clear focus on lowering the cost of living quickly propelled him to the forefront.
In a stunning political upset, Mamdani ultimately defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo twice: first to secure the Democratic nomination in June, and again in the November general election, cementing his mandate for change.