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New York, New Year, New Mayor: Zohran Mamdani Sworn In

Published January 1, 2026, 08:13
New York, New Year, New Mayor: Zohran Mamdani Sworn In

Zohran Mamdani has been sworn in as the new mayor of New York City, marking a historic moment for the city as he is the first Muslim to hold the office. The inauguration took place at a historic, decommissioned subway station in Manhattan, with a formal ceremony with Senator Bernie Sanders to follow at City Hall. Mamdani, 34, is also the first mayor of New York City of South Asian descent and the first born in Africa. During his campaign, he promised transformative change with policies aimed at reducing the cost of living in the city, such as free childcare, free buses, and rent freezes. However, the new mayor will also face significant challenges, such as managing garbage, snow, and rats, as well as solving problems with the subway and roads. Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, and moved to New York at the age of 7, becoming a US citizen in 2018. He has worked on political campaigns and served as a member of the state Assembly.