In a historic and symbolic ceremony held just after midnight, Zohran Kwame Mamdani was sworn in as the 110th mayor of New York City, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the office. The oath was administered by New York State Attorney General Letitia James at the abandoned City Hall subway station, a location rich with the city's history.
A Midnight Oath Steeped in Symbolism
The intimate ceremony was attended by his close family, including his wife, Rama Duwaji, his mother, the acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, and his father, the renowned academic and author Mahmood Mamdani. In a poignant personal touch, Mamdani took his oath of office on his grandfather's Qur'an.
In his first remarks as mayor, he extended New Year wishes to all, both "inside and outside the tunnel," and called the moment "the honor and the privilege of a lifetime." He emphasized the chosen venue's significance, linking the city's past ambition to its future. "When Old City Hall Station first opened in 1904... it was a physical monument to a city that dared to be both beautiful and build great things that would transform working peoples’ lives," Mamdani stated.
From Kampala to Queens: The Mayor's Journey
Zohran Mamdani's path to Gracie Mansion is a distinctly New York story with global roots. He was born in Kampala, Uganda, and his family relocated to New York City when he was seven years old. He became an American citizen in 2018.
His political career began behind the scenes, working on campaigns for Democratic candidates in the city. His own electoral success came in 2020 when he won a New York State Assembly seat representing a section of Queens. His rapid ascent from state legislator to the city's highest office marks a dramatic shift in New York politics.
A Day of Dual Ceremonies and Public Celebration
The midnight event was only the first act of inauguration day. A second, public swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 1 pm at City Hall, where he will be sworn in by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, whom Mamdani considers a political hero.
Following the formal ceremony, the new mayor's office has planned a public block party on a stretch of Broadway famously known as the "Canyon of Heroes," traditionally used for ticker-tape parades. This signals Mamdani's intent to connect his administration with the public from its very first hours.
Concluding his midnight speech, Mayor Mamdani laid out a collaborative vision: "Let the words we’ve spoken together, the dreams we’ve dreamt together, become the agenda we deliver together." He directly addressed the citizens, asserting, "New York, this power, it’s yours. This city belongs to you." With these words, the youngest mayor in New York City history began his term, promising to revive the transformative ambition embodied by the very station where he took his oath.
