Crowds Gather as Zohran Mamdani Is Sworn In as New York City’s New Mayor

Crowds gathered in downtown Manhattan as Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City’s 112th mayor, marking a historic moment for the nation’s largest city. Mamdani, a 34-year-old former state assemblyman from Queens, becomes the city’s first Muslim mayor, first South Asian mayor, and the youngest person to hold the office in more than a century.

A public swearing-in ceremony took place Thursday afternoon at City Hall Plaza, where thousands of supporters bundled up in freezing temperatures to witness the moment. A DJ kept the crowd energized as attendees waited for the ceremony to begin, while nearby streets were closed for watch parties and a block celebration hosted by Mamdani’s transition team.

Among those in attendance were prominent progressive leaders, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who introduced Mamdani, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, who administered the public oath of office. Ocasio-Cortez praised Mamdani as a leader focused on improving the lives of working people, calling his election a turning point for the city.

Mamdani was officially sworn in just after midnight during a private ceremony with his wife, artist Rama Duwaji, and close family members. For that ceremony, he used two Qurans, including one from the New York Public Library that once belonged to historian Arturo Schomburg, as well as another that belonged to his grandfather. It marked the first time a Quran has been used in a New York City mayoral inauguration.

The private ceremony was held at the long-closed City Hall subway station beneath Manhattan, a symbolic setting highlighting Mamdani’s focus on public transportation. During his remarks, Mamdani emphasized the importance of transit to the city’s future and announced Michael Flynn as the new commissioner of the Department of Transportation.

Mamdani takes office with an ambitious agenda centered on affordability, including proposals to freeze rent for rent-stabilized tenants, create universal childcare, and make city buses free. While supporters see his win as a bold shift in city leadership, critics have raised questions about how his plans will be funded and implemented.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.