TL/DR –
Zohran Mamdani was publicly inaugurated as the new mayor of New York City on New Year’s Day 2026, with a seven-block-long party attended by tens of thousands of supporters, including political heavyweights Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders. Mamdani was initially sworn in at midnight on New Year’s Eve at New York City Hall subway station, using a historic Quran borrowed from the New York Public Library, before repeating the oath at City Hall for the public celebration. His core campaign promises include raising the corporate tax rate from 7.25% to 11.5% and increasing taxes on those who earn over $1 million a year by 2%, as well as freezing rent for the city’s rental stabilized apartments.
New York City Welcomes New Mayor, Zohran Mamdani
New York, United States – Zohran Mamdani’s public inauguration as New York City mayor featured sprawling crowds, chants to “tax the rich” and a seven-block-long party, marking a fresh city leadership for the new year. Political inaugurations typically follow a more traditional pathway, but Mamdani’s swearing-in events were anything but ordinary.
Following the New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square for 2026, Mamdani was first sworn in during a small ceremony at the historic New York City Hall subway station. Administered by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Mamdani’s oath was taken with a historic Quran borrowed from the New York Public Library.
The public ceremony took place on New Year’s Day at City Hall, attended by tens of thousands of supporters who braved the freezing temperatures to witness the inauguration of the city’s new leadership, including the city’s comptroller, Mark Levine, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
Prominent political figures such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders graced the event with speeches outlining the progressive movement’s plans for New York and its national implications. Sanders emphasized unity among working people and the potential of collective action before swearing in Mamdani.
Breaking away from the traditional ticket-based inauguration, the city organized a seven-block-long public block party, inviting all New Yorkers to the event. Despite adverse weather conditions, enthusiastic attendees lined up at security checkpoints to see the swearing-in of the 34-year-old democratic socialist now tasked with running the largest city in the United States.
A message of unity and tax reforms
Mamdani, along with Levine and Williams, spoke about the importance of unity among New Yorkers. Delivering speeches in English, Spanish, Hebrew, and Greek, the leaders emphasized inclusion of all faiths, including Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. This sentiment was also reflected in the different religious texts used during the swearing-in ceremonies.
However, the central message remained clear: the ultra-wealthy should pay higher taxes. The new mayor also announced plans to raise the corporate tax rate in New York City to match that of neighbouring New Jersey, subject to the governor’s approval. Mamdani also promised an increase in taxes for individuals earning more than $1 million annually.
Hours after his inauguration, Mamdani began addressing a core campaign promise: housing affordability. His first executive orders, announced at a rent-stabilised building in Brooklyn, included the creation of two task forces on housing policy and a freeze on rent hikes for rent-stabilised apartments.
—
Read More US Political News