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On his inauguration day in office, Zohran Mamdani pledged to “transform” America's largest city, declaring “a fresh chapter” and an audacious start to his administration.

A Historic Mayor

The 34-year-old political star, who was a relatively obscure state assemblyman, has become the city's first Muslim mayor. He also made history by being the first to be take the oath of office using the Qur'an.

“A time such as this is rare and rarer still is it that the citizens whose hold the levers of change,” Mamdani remarked.

Defying counsel to be modest, the mayor was emphatic: “I will do no such thing. The only expectation I seek to redefine is that of limited ambitions. Beginning today we will govern with courage and vision.”

Governing with Socialist Principles

Mamdani openly embraced his socialist politics. “I was elected as a socialist leader and I will govern as one. I will not compromise my convictions for fear of being called extreme,” he said to rapturous applause.

The inauguration was a dual event, beginning with a late-night oath-taking in a disused subway station. He was formally sworn in on the steps of city hall by political ally Bernie Sanders, who praised Mamdani's election as a victory over powerful interests.

A Costly Platform

Mamdani now undertakes one of the most challenging jobs in American politics, with a platform including:

• Free childcare
• Free buses
• A rent freeze for nearly 1 million households
• A experiment of municipally-operated grocery stores

The estimated $10 billion cost of these programs may be challenging to fund. Mamdani has vowed to increase levies for the wealthiest New Yorkers and corporations. However, as a city subject to the state government, he will require the legislative support of Governor Kathy Hochul.

Facing External Headwinds

The new mayor also faces concern from some Jewish New Yorkers concerned about his past comments regarding Israel. Sensitivities were highlighted during the transition when a senior aide stepped down over offensive past social media posts.

Mamdani has sought to ease these tensions by convincing Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to stay on, avoiding the optics of losing a Jewish police chief.

On the national stage, former President Donald Trump has labeled Mamdani a “socialist” and warned of withholding federal funding. Despite this, a recent encounter between the two was reportedly unexpectedly friendly.

The Basic Challenges of Governing

Ultimately, New York mayors are judged on their success in delivering essential functions: trash collection, curbing the rat infestation, fixing roadways, and ensuring smooth transit operation.

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams highlighted his team's anti-crime efforts, pointing to historically low numbers of homicides and gun violence in 2025, with 301 homicides recorded.

As his work begins, Mamdani and his wife will relocate from their Queens apartment to the stately mayoral residence. The outgoing mayor offered a quirky warning about a supposed friendly ghost in the home, which reportedly only troubles those who do not act to “do right by the city.”

Mamdani ended his remarks with a simple statement: “The work has only just begun.”