Just like that: Zohran Mamdani, the brightest hope of a generation saddled by billionaire largess and influence over every level of government, gets sworn in to his mayoral position. Mayor Mamdani chose a Quran instead of a bible, and US Senator Bernie Sanders, sworn Mamdani in for the public ceremony.
For many New Yorkers, Mamdani serves as a reminder that immigrants can and do succeed in the biggest platforms and regions of the United States even when faced with the most xenophobic and backwards policies in recent memory.
On today, January 1st, 2026, Zohran Kwame Mamdani was officially sworn in as the 112th Mayor of New York City, marking a historic moment in the city’s political landscape. The day, year and mayorship, began with an unconventional midnight ceremony held in the long-abandoned Old City Hall subway station beneath City Hall Park — a symbolic site chosen to reflect his vision for a more inclusive, working-class city. There, New York State Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath in a private gathering with close family and supporters.
Later in the day, a public inauguration ceremony drew thousands to the steps of City Hall, where U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders officiated the oath in front of a jubilant crowd celebrating the new era of leadership. 
Mamdani becomes the first Muslim mayor of New York City and one of its youngest — a milestone thathighlights shifting political currents in the nation’s largest city. His campaign focused on affordability, housing reform, universal childcare, and transportation access, setting the tone for an ambitious progressive agenda ahead.
