Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York City just after midnight Thursday, becoming the first Muslim and the youngest person in generations to take the oath in the nation’s largest city.
Mamdani, 34, a Democrat, placed his hand on the Holy Quran as he pledged to support the Constitution of the United States and the laws of New York.
“This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani said after taking the oath.
The ceremony was held at the decommissioned City Hall subway station in Manhattan and was administered by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, a political ally. The site is known for its vaulted ceilings and historical significance.
Mamdani is scheduled to be sworn in again at 1 p.m. Thursday in a public ceremony on the steps of City Hall. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders will preside over the event.
The public ceremony will be followed by a block party along the “Canyon of Heroes,” a stretch of Broadway famous for ticker-tape parades.
According to campaign data, Mamdani raised $2.6 million for transition and inaugural celebrations from nearly 30,000 contributors. His team said the totals broke records for both donations and turnout.
Mamdani campaigned on a platform centered on affordability and expanded social programs. His proposals include free child care, free buses, a rent freeze for about 1 million households, and a pilot program for city-run grocery stores.
A mayor of firsts
His election marks multiple firsts. Mamdani is the first mayor of South Asian descent and the first born in Africa.
He was born in Kampala, Uganda, and moved to New York City at age 7. He became a U.S. citizen in 2018 and has spoken about growing up in a post-9/11 environment in which Muslims often faced prejudice.
Before running for mayor, Mamdani served in the New York State Assembly, representing part of Queens. His rise during the Democratic primary was swift, fueled by a campaign focused on lowering the cost of living.
Tensions with Trump
The campaign was marked by sharp rhetoric from Republican President Donald Trump. Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from New York City if Mamdani won and suggested deploying National Guard troops. He also mused publicly about deportation and called Mamdani a “100% Communist Lunatic.”
Despite that rhetoric, Trump invited Mamdani to the White House in November for what Mamdani later described as a cordial meeting. Afterward, Mamdani told NBC News that he still considers Trump a fascist.
As mayor, Mamdani will face day-to-day challenges that shape life in the city, including trash and snow removal, rat control, subway delays and pothole repairs.
Some bankers and business leaders initially voiced concern about Mamdani’s democratic socialist platform. Many are now exploring ways to cooperate with the new administration.
A symbolic choice
Mamdani’s decision to take the oath on the Holy Quran was described by his team as a reflection of both his identity and the diversity of New York City.
They said the choice of the historic subway station symbolized his commitment to working people who keep the city running every day.
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