Mamdani Takes on NYC

On Jan. 1, 2026, Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as Mayor of New York City. With this came a multitude of firsts for the city as Mamdani is not only the first Muslim Mayor but also the first African-born and first South Asian person to hold this position. 

Looking back on the election, which occurred on Nov. 4, 2025, Mamdani won with just over 50% of the votes, accounting for over one million New Yorkers. This is compared to Andrew Cuomo who earned 41% and Curtis Sliwa who earned about 7% of the votes, giving Mamdani the clear mandate he needs to lead. 

His inauguration began in the abandoned subway station under City Hall. With his wife by his side and his hand on the Qur’an, he took the oath of office just after midnight welcoming New York into the new year with a new mayor. Later in the day Mamdani addressed the whole of New York City in a public ceremony on the steps of City Hall. 

His inauguration began in the abandoned subway station under City Hall. With his wife by his side and his hand on the Qur’an, he took the oath of office just after midnight welcoming New York into the new year with a new mayor. Later in the day Mamdani addressed the whole of New York City in a public ceremony on the steps of City Hall. 

During his first address to the public as mayor, Mamdani sympathized with his fellow New Yorkers. Sending a message of solidarity to all he said, “I stand alongside neighbors who carry a plate of food to the elderly couple down the hall, those in a rush who still lift strangers’ strollers up subway stairs, and every person who makes the choice day after day, even when it feels impossible, to call our city home.” In his speech he highlights the community that makes New York unique and unites everyone across New York. He promised that his term as mayor is meant for all New Yorkers, not just the ones that voted for him. 

He also stated that, “Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed. But never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.” And expansive he is. In his first three weeks as mayor, Mamdani and his team have already put many of his campaign promises into action. On January 14th he instated Executive Order 11 which aims to support small businesses. This order directs various city agencies to create a comprehensive inventory of fees, regulations, and penalties for small businesses and “identify ways to reduce and streamline them, and advance policy reforms to do so in the coming months”. Mamdani believes small businesses are essential to NYC and wants to do everything he can to help them keep their doors open. The administration has also announced a commitment to expand New Yorkers access to public restrooms by putting $4 million towards improving current bathrooms and creating new ones. Their commitment to affordable childcare has also advanced with the administration announcing a partnership with Governor Hochul in order to deliver free childcare for two-year-olds in NYC as well as strengthening the 3k program that’s already in place. 

Mamdani’s first 21 days in office have moved fast, with him quickly following through on many campaign promises. Mamdani’s next four years in office will definitely be a term to follow, as he takes his turn trying to change New York City for the better.