Zohran Mamdani officially became mayor of New York City just after midnight Thursday, taking the oath of office in a private ceremony while placing his hand on the Islamic Quran.
The event marked Mamdani’s formal assumption of office and confirmed him as the first Muslim mayor in the city’s history.
Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democrat and self-described socialist, was sworn in during a strictly invitation-only gathering held at the former City Hall subway station, one of New York City’s original subway stops.
The station, no longer in public use, is known for its ornate architecture and arched ceilings.
According to the Associated Press, Mamdani addressed those in attendance with brief remarks following the oath. “This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime,” he said.
The ceremony was overseen by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a political ally of Mamdani. His wife, artist Rama Duwaji, held the Quran as Mamdani took the oath of office.
Also present were Mamdani’s parents, filmmaker Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, a professor at Columbia University.
In his first comments as mayor, Mamdani referenced the symbolic setting of the ceremony. AP reported that he described the former subway station as a “testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health and the legacy of our city.”
During the remarks, Mamdani announced his first major appointment, naming Mike Flynn as commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation.
The new mayor concluded the private event with brief closing remarks. “Thank you all so much, now I will see you later,” Mamdani said, according to AP, before smiling and walking up a flight of stairs leading out of the station.
The overnight ceremony was the first of two planned swearing-in events.
AP reported that Mamdani is scheduled to be sworn in again later Thursday in a public ceremony at City Hall at 1 p.m.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a longtime political ally and figure Mamdani has publicly described as a political hero, is set to administer the oath during the public event.
Following the City Hall ceremony, Mamdani’s office plans to host a public block party along a stretch of Broadway known as the “Canyon of Heroes,” an area traditionally associated with New York City’s ticker-tape parades honoring visiting dignitaries and major sports championships.
Mamdani’s ascent to the mayor’s office follows his victory in the November election, where he defeated a field of challengers and secured a decisive win.
His rapid rise and progressive platform have drawn national attention, particularly given New York City’s size, economic influence, and role in national politics.
Born in Uganda, Mamdani immigrated to the United States before entering public service.
Prior to his mayoral campaign, he served as a state assemblyman representing a district in Queens.
His policy positions on housing, transportation, and public spending have generated strong support among progressive voters, while also raising concerns among critics focused on public safety, fiscal management, and the broader implications of his socialist agenda.
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, who was elected as a Democrat and later re-registered as an Independent, has indicated he plans to attend the public ceremony despite a contentious campaign season marked by sharp differences between the two candidates.
Mamdani’s inauguration comes as New York City continues to face challenges related to crime, affordability, public transit reliability, and budget pressures.
With the formalities of his swearing-in complete, attention is expected to shift quickly to how his administration governs and implements its priorities in the months ahead.
The public ceremony later Thursday is expected to draw large crowds and national media attention, closing a transition period that began with the November election and formally ushering in Mamdani’s term as mayor of the nation’s largest city.
