Early achievements include historic gun violence decline, subscription trap crackdown, and strict landlord enforcement
During his first week as mayor, Zohran Mamdani achieved significant policy wins that position him as a reformer willing to use executive power boldly. The NYPD announced that 2025 was the safest year in New York City history regarding gun violence, with 305 murders77 fewer than 2024. Mamdani stood alongside Governor Kathy Hochul and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch to celebrate this decline, a moment highlighting bipartisan security concerns and measurable progress. Beyond public safety, Mamdani signed executive orders cracking down on junk fees and subscription traps, collaborating with Attorney General Letitia James to protect consumers from deceptive pricing.
Historic Gun Violence Decline: Public Safety as Foundation
The NYPD’s announcement that 2025 recorded fewer shootings and shooting victims than any year in recorded city history represents genuine progress. However, the city still experienced 305 murders, indicating that serious violence persists and that safety remains a foundational challenge. Mamdani acknowledged both the achievement and the work ahead, positioning public safety as prerequisite for addressing other issues. When families fear violence, housing affordability and cultural access matter less.
Enforcement and Community Policing
The decline in gun violence reflects years of police strategy evolution, community involvement, and intervention programs. Mamdani must balance celebrating progress with maintaining pressure for continued improvement and for community-based violence prevention. His administration has emphasized both enforcement and prevention-focused approaches, recognizing that violence reduction requires both strategies.
Executive Order on Junk Fees and Subscription Traps
Working with Attorney General Letitia James, Mamdani signed orders targeting hidden fees and automatic subscription charges that drain working families’ budgets. These deceptive practices have become increasingly common, with companies embedding fees in website checkouts and auto-renewing subscriptions customers never knowingly authorized.
Transparency and Accountability in Pricing
The executive order establishes a citywide junk fee task force and empowers the city to use full legal authority to crack down on illegal subscription practices. Mamdani stated: “New Yorkers deserve to know exactly what they are paying, how much it will cost, and whether they are signing up for an ongoing chargebefore a single dollar leaves their account.” This consumer protection framing has broad political appeal and genuine impact on household budgets. The citywide junk fee task force will investigate and enforce compliance with city law, potentially recovering dollars for defrauded consumers.
Commissioner Appointments Shaping Implementation
Mamdani swore in Lillian Bonsignore as FDNY Commissioner, bringing three decades of service experience to the role. Bonsignore emphasized her commitment to listening and supporting firefighters, positioning herself as a leader who values rank-and-file input. These early commissioner appointments will shape how effectively Mamdani’s vision translates into administrative action.
Congressional Endorsements and Political Positioning
During his first week, Mamdani endorsed Brad Lander, former comptroller and mayoral rival, for Congress against incumbent Dan Goldman. The endorsement positioned Mamdani as willing to prioritize policy alignment over personal loyalty, supporting Lander’s more progressive stance on Israel and Palestine. This move signaled that Mamdani intends to exercise influence on broader Democratic politics, not just New York City governance.
The 100-Day Test Ahead
With only days into his term, Mamdani is building momentum through executive action and strategic appointments. The traditional 100-day evaluation period will test whether his early promises translate into sustained reform and measurable outcomes. Success requires not just signing orders but ensuring bureaucratic implementation, securing necessary funding, and maintaining political support.
Balancing Multiple Crises
Gun violence decline, consumer protection, housing reform, and childcare expansion represent ambitious agenda breadth. Mamdani will face the perennial mayoral challenge: managing competing priorities with limited resources. ABC7 live updates track developments throughout Mamdani’s first 100 days, providing real-time documentation of achievements and challenges. The coming months will reveal whether early momentum sustains or whether political obstacles slow his reform agenda.
