In a historic ceremony held in the early hours of New Year's Day, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the 110th mayor of New York City, marking several significant firsts for the metropolis.
A Midnight Oath in a Hidden Landmark
The 34-year-old former state assemblyman took his official oath of office just after midnight on Thursday 1 January 2026. The location was as symbolic as the moment: the disused Old City Hall subway station in Manhattan, a historic site normally accessible only via rare guided tours.
New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath. The intimate, traditional ceremony was attended by Mr Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, and members of his immediate family, including his mother, film director Mira Nair, and his father, Columbia professor Mahmood Mamdani.
Breaking Barriers and Setting Records
Zohran Mamdani's inauguration shatters multiple glass ceilings. He is New York City's first Muslim mayor, its first person of South Asian descent to hold the office, and its first African-born mayor, having been born in Uganda.
The Democratic Socialist candidate rode a wave of popular support into office, inspiring a record-breaking turnout. He secured 50% of the vote, nearly ten points ahead of former Democratic New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent, and well clear of Republican Curtis Sliwa.
His platform, focused on tackling the cost-of-living crisis with policies like rent freezes and free buses, resonated with over 2 million voters in America's most populous city of roughly 8 million residents.
An Inauguration for the Public
Following the private subway station swearing-in, a larger public celebration was scheduled for later on New Year's Day. Plans included a ceremony on the steps of City Hall and New York City's first-ever mayoral inauguration block party.
This event, featuring music and speeches, was set to host 4,000 guests at City Hall Plaza. For those unable to attend, the ceremony—dubbed the "Inauguration of a New Era" by Mr Mamdani's team—was to be livestreamed. Free public viewing areas were established along Broadway to watch the broadcast.
The inaugural committee boasted notable names from arts and culture, including novelist Colson Whitehead, children's YouTuber Ms Rachel, musician Sonny Rollins, and actors Luis Guzman and Cynthia Nixon.
With the formalities complete, Mr Mamdani will relocate from his one-bedroom apartment in Astoria to the official mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion, on the Upper East Side. His team stated the choice of the subway station for the oath reflected his "commitment to the working people who keep our city running every day."
