Zohran Mamdani Sworn In as New York City’s 112th Mayor

NEW YORK — Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as the 112th mayor of New York City in the first minutes of 2026, becoming the first Muslim to lead the nation’s largest city and capping a rapid rise from a little-known state lawmaker to one of the most closely watched figures in American politics.

The official oath was administered just after midnight by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a fellow Democrat and close ally, in the decommissioned City Hall subway station beneath Lower Manhattan. Mamdani placed his hand on a Quran during the brief ceremony, which was attended by his wife, Rama Duwaji.

“This is truly the honor and privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani told the small gathering after wishing New Yorkers a happy new year.

Public Ceremony at City Hall

A larger public inauguration followed later on New Year’s Day on the steps of City Hall, where Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, one of Mamdani’s political mentors, administered the oath a second time before the new mayor delivered his inaugural address. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York was also expected to take part in the event.

An Unlikely Path

Mamdani, who was born in Uganda to parents with roots in India and later immigrated to the United States, served as a member of the New York State Assembly before launching his mayoral bid. He is also the first Asian American to hold the office.

In the November general election, he defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo by nearly 10 percentage points. His campaign centered on affordability, with proposals including fare-free city buses, universal child care, city-run grocery stores and a rent freeze for stabilized apartments.

His candidacy drew sharp criticism from President Donald Trump, who repeatedly labeled him a “communist,” as well as from some Democratic Party leaders who raised concerns about his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America and his criticism of Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza. NPR noted that Trump’s characterization was false.

Challenges Ahead

Mamdani takes office facing high expectations from supporters and skepticism from business leaders and political opponents over the cost and feasibility of his agenda. Many of his signature proposals will require approval or funding from Albany, where state lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul hold significant control over the city’s finances and taxing authority.

His administration will also have to navigate relations with the federal government at a time when the Trump administration is pursuing aggressive immigration enforcement in major cities.

New York City, home to more than 8 million residents, operates a budget exceeding $100 billion a year, larger than those of most U.S. states. The mayor oversees agencies ranging from the nation’s largest police department to its largest public school system.