Zohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City mayor
Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s 112th mayor just after midnight on January 1, 2026. The private ceremony occurred at the abandoned Old City Hall subway station beneath City Hall.
New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath, with Mamdani’s family present; he placed his hand on a Quran, marking him as the city’s first Muslim mayor. A public inauguration followed later that day at 1 p.m. on the City Hall steps, where Senator Bernie Sanders re-administered the oath.
Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist and former state assemblyman, won the November 2025 election against Andrew Cuomo by nearly ten points, promising focus on affordability and fairness. His rise from a backbench role to mayor highlights a progressive shift in NYC politics.
A block party in the Canyon of Heroes ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., open to RSVPed attendees, emphasizing inclusivity for all New Yorkers. Figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were expected at the public event.
