Zohran Mamdani, the new Mayor of New York City, was inaugurated on January 1, the first day of the new year (local time).
Mayor Mamdani, who ran as the Democratic Party candidate and won the mayoral election in November last year, officially took office at 12:01 a.m. (2:01 p.m. Korea time on January 1), succeeding former Mayor Eric Adams and beginning his four-year term.
Mayor Mamdani took his oath of office on the steps of the now-closed Old City Hall subway station, with New York State Attorney General Letitia James presiding over the ceremony. He placed his left hand on the Quran, held by his wife Rama Duwaji with both hands, and raised his right hand to take the oath. This was the first time the Quran was used in a New York City mayoral inauguration. Most American public officials typically take their oath with their hand on the Bible.
According to major foreign media outlets, after the oath, Mayor Mamdani told reporters at the scene, "This is a true honor and the privilege of my lifetime."
He also announced the appointment of Mike Flynn as the city's Transportation Commissioner, and commented on the subway station where the ceremony was held, saying, "It stands as evidence of the importance of public transportation to our city's vibrancy, health, and heritage." Mayor Mamdani then added, "Thank you all very much. See you later," before leaving the venue.
Later, at 1 p.m., Mayor Mamdani is scheduled to attend the official inauguration ceremony in front of New York City Hall, with citizens in attendance. Traditionally, the New York City mayoral inauguration is held in front of City Hall, but by taking his oath first at the closed subway station, he is seen as demonstrating his commitment to representing his base among workers and the poor.
In a previously released statement, he said, "When the Old City Hall station, one of the 28 original subway stations in New York that opened in 1904, first opened its doors, it stood as a physical monument to the city's courage to pursue beauty while also building great architecture to transform the lives of workers."
At 34, Mamdani is the youngest mayor in New York City's history. He is ethnically and religiously an Indian Muslim and is politically progressive. His inauguration as a non-white immigrant and the use of the Quran at the ceremony are being regarded as 'exceptional' events in the United States under President Donald Trump, whose main base is white evangelical Christians. Born in Uganda, Africa, Mamdani lived in South Africa before immigrating to the United States at age seven. He is also seen as a symbolic figure standing in opposition to the Trump administration's anti-immigration policies.
The official inauguration ceremony will be presided over by Bernie Sanders, the U.S. Senator from Vermont and a symbolic figure of progressive politics in America. At the event, Mayor Mamdani will deliver a speech outlining his vision and aspirations for the city. A celebratory event will follow on Broadway in New York, with up to 40,000 people expected to attend.
Mayor Mamdani, who began his political career as a member of the New York State Assembly representing Queens, quickly emerged as a rising star among Democratic progressives after winning the Democratic primary in June and the general election in November last year. In particular, by addressing the cost-of-living crisis under President Trump, he campaigned on policies such as easing the burden of housing costs in New York City, where inflation is especially severe, and imposing a wealth tax.
However, The Wall Street Journal reported that Mayor Mamdani faces significant challenges. First, it is expected that implementing his campaign pledges will require enormous financial resources. Universal childcare would cost $6 billion per year, and free bus service would require $800 million annually. Tax increases needed to fund these programs are likely to face opposition from New York's wealthy residents. How Mayor Mamdani will overcome these obstacles remains to be seen.
There is also speculation that Mayor Mamdani, who holds a critical view of Israel and is anti-Zionist, could face conflicts with the influential Jewish community in New York City, as well as potential clashes with President Trump at any time.
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