The democratic socialist took the oath at the abandoned 1904 subway terminal, signaling his transit-focused agenda
Historic Oath at Symbolic Location
Zohran Mamdani officially became New York City’s 112th mayor at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026, making history as the city’s first Muslim mayor, first South Asian mayor, and youngest mayor to take office in over a century. The 34-year-old democrat and former state assemblyman from Queens took the oath at the decommissioned Old City Hall IRT subway station beneath City Hall Park, a location chosen to reflect his administration’s commitment to public transportation as a cornerstone of affordability and urban development.
The Symbolic Power of the Station
The venue held profound meaning. Built in 1904 and closed to the public since 1945, the ornate station features tiled arched ceilings, stained glass skylights, and brass chandeliers that have remained dormant for decades. Mamdani described the location as a testament to a city that once dared to be both beautiful and functional, building infrastructure that transformed working people’s lives. New York Attorney General Letitia James, whom Mamdani described as a political inspiration, administered the oath in the private ceremony attended only by family members.
Campaign Promises and Progressive Platform
Mamdani’s campaign centered on addressing New York’s affordability crisis through bold proposals including universal free childcare for children aged six weeks to five years, freezing rent for approximately two million rent-stabilized tenants, and implementing a fast and free bus system. These promises resonated with voters exhausted by rising costs of living and seeking transformative change. His victory in the Democratic primary stunned the political establishment, drawing national attention to his democratic socialist platform.
A New Generation of Leadership
The private swearing-in marked the beginning of a new era for the nation’s largest city. Mamdani’s wife, artist Rama Duwaji, stood beside him as he took the oath. His parents, filmmaker Mira Nair and Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani, witnessed the moment. The mayor immediately announced his first cabinet appointment, naming veteran city planner Michael Flynn as the new commissioner of the Department of Transportation. For detailed coverage of the inauguration’s historic significance, see ABC News’ comprehensive guide to the historic inauguration. The appointment of Flynn signals Mamdani’s intention to prioritize transportation infrastructure and public transit improvements throughout his administration. For more information on NYC’s transit system and its role in city development, readers can reference the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s official website. His earliest administrative actions reveal his commitment to the working people who formed his political base. The new mayor even paid the required nine-dollar fee to the city clerk’s office to file his signed oath, completing the formal requirements of the position. Mamdani spent his first hours in office making strategic appointments and preparing for the larger public inauguration ceremony scheduled for 1 p.m. that same day. For information on New York City’s governance structure and mayoral responsibilities, see the official New York City government website. His transition team indicated that at least four thousand people were invited to the public ceremony at City Hall Plaza, with additional supporters expected at the block party called the Inauguration of a New Era, which would stretch along Broadway. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a fellow democratic socialist and ideological ally, was slated to administer the public oath of office, signaling Mamdani’s connection to the national progressive movement. For background on progressive policy development and Bernie Sanders’ influence on contemporary Democratic politics, see the United States Congress official website.
