Democrat Zohran Mamdani, an outspoken critic of U.S. President Donald Trump, officially assumed office as Mayor of New York City on Thursday, facing a wide range of challenges ahead.
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Elected in November on a left-wing platform, the 34-year-old Mamdani took the oath of office at a historic subway station in Manhattan during a brief ceremony presided over by New York State Attorney General Letitia James—one of Trump’s fiercest opponents, who won a fraud case against him in 2024.
The first Muslim mayor in New York City’s history, Mamdani was sworn in on a copy of the Qur’an held by his wife, Syrian-origin artist Rama Douji. The Qur’an had belonged to one of Harlem’s most prominent cultural figures, writer and historian Arturo Schomburg, a pioneer in documenting African American history, who died in 1938.
Known for his attention to symbolism, Mamdani explained his choice of the “Old City” station—an abandoned, majestic station distinguished by elegant architecture and stained-glass windows dating back to 1904—saying it represents, in his view, “a city that dared to be beautiful while also capable of changing the lives of the working class.”
He was sworn in at midnight, as thousands celebrated the New Year in Times Square.
Following the closed inauguration ceremony, a larger official event was scheduled around noon at City Hall, led by two of the most prominent figures on the American left: Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Tens of thousands are also expected to take part in a public celebration later in the day, broadcast on giant screens, featuring live music and performances along Broadway.
Mamdani was elected on a platform openly opposed to Trump, particularly on economic and immigration policies. He later visited the White House, where he held talks with the president that surprised many observers due to their cordial atmosphere, with both rivals exchanging compliments.
Tackling the Cost-of-Living Crisis
It remains unclear, however, whether Trump has fully abandoned his campaign threats to deploy the National Guard to New York City or to cut federal funding to the city.
Lincoln Mitchell, a political science professor at Columbia University, told Agence France-Presse that “if (Trump adviser) Stephen Miller or (Vice President) J.D. Vance suggest sending more immigration police to New York, the president would do it.”
Voters of the new mayor, he added, “are effectively expecting him” to take a firm stand against the White House.
A newcomer to high-level politics, Mamdani faces a daunting task in delivering on his campaign promises, which have generated high expectations among city residents.
With the U.S. midterm elections approaching—a crucial congressional contest—Mamdani’s performance, whether successful or not, will be closely watched by Democrats still searching for inspiration to confront Trump.
Identifying himself as a socialist in a country where the term is often associated with the far left, Mamdani built his campaign around fighting the cost-of-living crisis, particularly soaring housing prices in the metropolis of 8.5 million people.
His predecessor, Eric Adams—whose tenure was marred by corruption allegations—sought to block a key measure in Mamdani’s platform aimed at freezing rents for more than one million apartments, by appointing or reappointing allies to the committee responsible for such decisions.
Details of how Mamdani plans to implement his other pledges have yet to be announced. These include building 200,000 affordable housing units, providing universal childcare, establishing publicly owned discount supermarkets, and offering free public transportation. He is expected to issue announcements soon to launch these initiatives.
At 34, Zohran Mamdani is among the youngest mayors in New York City’s history, which has seen at least 111 mayors. Prior to this role, he had held only one elected position, serving as a district representative in the state legislature.
Despite criticism over his limited experience, Mamdani has surrounded himself with an experienced team, including figures from previous administrations, among them the administration of former President Joe Biden.
He has also begun engaging with the business community—even before his election—amid earlier predictions by some that wealthy New Yorkers would leave the city en masse, a scenario that has not materialized so far, according to several real estate executives in recent weeks.
AFP
