Overview
- Mamdani took the oath shortly after midnight at the Old City Hall subway station, administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, and said he would appoint a new transportation commissioner.
- He placed his hand on his grandfather’s Koran, becoming New York’s first Muslim and Africa-born immigrant mayor.
- A larger public inauguration at City Hall is scheduled for today, with Senator Bernie Sanders set to administer an oath, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez among speakers, and a major street festival planned.
- Central pledges include a rent freeze affecting roughly one million households, free childcare and free buses, financed by higher taxes on wealthy residents and companies.
- Key obstacles loom, including uncertain funding, possible committee resistance from allies of outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, and potential friction with President Trump despite a recently cordial meeting.