Just after midnight ushered in 2026, Mamdani took the oath of office at an abandoned subway station beneath City Hall, an unconventional setting his office said symbolised his commitment to working-class New Yorkers. At 34, he becomes New York’s first Muslim mayor and takes charge of the largest city in the United States.
“This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani told reporters after the ceremony.
A year ago, Mamdani was virtually unknown outside political circles. Now, as a Democrat, he faces the challenge of delivering on an ambitious agenda that includes rent freezes, universal childcare and free public buses, amid scepticism over whether symbolism can translate into results.
New York University lecturer John Kane said that once elections are over, voters expect concrete outcomes rather than gestures.
Relations with Trump are expected to play a crucial role in Mamdani’s tenure. Although the Republican president has repeatedly criticised him, the two held unexpectedly cordial talks at the White House in November. Columbia University professor Lincoln Mitchell said the meeting went well for Mamdani but warned the relationship could quickly deteriorate.
One potential point of conflict is immigration policy, as Trump continues a nationwide crackdown on migrants. Mamdani has pledged to protect immigrant communities in New York. Before the election, Trump also threatened to cut federal funding to the city if Mamdani won, labelling him a “communist lunatic.” Mamdani, for his part, has described Trump as a fascist.
The private swearing-in was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who previously prosecuted Trump for fraud. A larger ceremonial inauguration is scheduled later in the day, featuring speeches by Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. About 4,000 ticketed guests are expected outside City Hall, while a public block party along Broadway will allow tens of thousands more to watch.
In a first for the city, Mamdani is using several Korans for his oath, including one that belonged to writer Arturo Schomburg, according to The New York Times.
Mamdani will move from his rent-controlled apartment in Queens to the official mayoral residence in Manhattan, saying the decision is primarily for security reasons. Born in Uganda to a family of Indian origin, he moved to New York at the age of seven and later served in the New York State Assembly.
To offset his limited experience, Mamdani has recruited seasoned aides from previous mayoral administrations and from former president Joe Biden’s government. He has also opened dialogue with business leaders, amid claims by some critics that his election would trigger an exodus of wealthy residents, a notion disputed by real estate figures.
As a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights, Mamdani faces the task of reassuring New York’s Jewish community of inclusive governance. The issue gained attention recently after one of his hires resigned over past antisemitic social media posts.
