Mamdani takes oath underground in landmark 1904 transit station
Underground Inauguration Reflects Mayor’s Commitment to Working People and Public Infrastructure
Zohran Mamdani will make history on New Year’s Day 2026 by taking the oath of office in an entirely unconventional location: the abandoned Old City Hall subway station beneath City Hall Park in Lower Manhattan. At the stroke of midnight on January 1, as millions of New Yorkers celebrate the arrival of 2026 above ground in Times Square and elsewhere, Mayor-elect Mamdani will be sworn in by New York Attorney General Letitia James during a private ceremony attended only by his wife Rana Duwaji, immediate family members, and a small number of journalists. The selection of this historic underground location carries profound symbolism about Mamdani’s political values and vision for the city’s future direction.
A Monument to Working People’s Labor and Public Investment in Infrastructure
The Old City Hall Station, which first opened in 1904, was one of New York’s original 28 subway stations built when the Interborough Rapid Transit opened the first subway line in America. The station, designed by architects George Heins and Christopher LaFarge and featuring ornate colored mosaic tiles and chandeliers crafted by engineer Rafael Guastavino, represents a moment in New York’s history when the city dared to build magnificent public works that transformed working peoples’ lives. The station was decommissioned in 1945 because its curved platform did not align with modern train car doors, but it was designated an NYC landmark in 1979 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. Learn more at the New York Transit Museum.
Why the Underground Location Carries Symbolic Significance
Mamdani explained his choice: “When Old City Hall Station first opened in 1904 — one of New York’s 28 original subway stations — it was a physical monument to a city that dared to be both beautiful and build great things that would transform working peoples’ lives. That ambition need not be a memory confined only to our past, nor must it be isolated only to the tunnels beneath City Hall: it will be the purpose of the administration fortunate enough to serve New Yorkers from the building above.” This statement encapsulates Mamdani’s political philosophy: that government should be in service of working people and should use public resources to build transformative infrastructure and public goods.
Historic Station Architecture Reflects Grandeur of Public Works
The station features remarkable architectural elements that reflect the grandeur and ambition of early twentieth-century public works and civic commitment. The vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, and mosaic tile work showcase the craftsmanship and artistry that were invested in the original subway system. Today, 6 train riders can glimpse the historic station by looking through the right-side windows after the train passes its last stop at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, as the track serves as a turnaround point for the downtown-bound line. The selection of this location for an inaugural oath demonstrates Mamdani’s commitment to recognizing and honoring the city’s history of public investment in working-class infrastructure.
Private Ceremony and Official Power Transfer at Midnight
The midnight swearing-in officially marks the moment Mamdani becomes mayor and assumes executive authority over the city’s 8.3 million residents and 35,000-member government workforce. Unlike the public ceremony several hours later, this private ceremony with Attorney General James conducting the oath is the legally binding moment when power formally transfers from the outgoing administration. Mamdani will swear to uphold the U.S. Constitution, the New York State Constitution, and the New York City Charter, formally accepting his duties as the city’s 112th mayor and first Muslim, first Southeast Asian, and youngest mayor in more than a century.
Symbolism of Oath Location and Working People Centrality
By choosing to take this crucial oath in the historic subway station rather than in City Hall or another traditional location, Mamdani signals that he views the city’s public transit system and working people as central to his governing philosophy. The subway, a system that serves millions of New Yorkers daily and was built by workers, represents the foundation of city life and the interdependence of millions of residents. Learn more about NYC transit at the MTA.
Public Access and Media Documentation of Historic Moment
Although the ceremony is private, a limited number of journalists will be present to document the historic moment. This balance between privacy for the family-focused moment and media access ensures that the historic nature of Mamdani’s inauguration is captured and shared with New Yorkers who cannot attend in person. The documentation of this moment creates a record for history and allows the broader public to witness the ceremonial transfer of power.
The Path to City Hall Above and Symbolic Ascent
After being sworn in at midnight at the historic subway station, Mamdani will spend the early hours of January 1 as mayor, technically in office and able to exercise executive authority. Hours later, he will emerge from below ground to City Hall above for the public ceremony, symbolically ascending from the tunnels of the subway system that he has made central to his political platform and governance vision.
Transition to Public Ceremony and Block Party
At 1 p.m. on January 1, Mamdani will participate in the public “Inauguration of a New Era” ceremony on the steps of City Hall. At this public event, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders will administer the oath of office, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will deliver opening remarks, and Pulitzer Prize finalist Cornelius Eady will read an original poem titled “Proof.” This public ceremony will be accompanied by a large block party in the Canyon of Heroes, allowing tens of thousands of New Yorkers to participate in the celebration. Learn more at NYC City Hall and understand historic preservation at NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission.
