New York — January 1, 2026 — Zohran Mamdani was officially sworn in early Thursday as the 111th mayor of New York City, marking a historic moment as he becomes the city’s first Muslim mayor and begins his administration with an ambitious progressive agenda focused on affordability and public services.

The oath of office was administered just after midnight by New York Attorney General Letitia James during a small ceremony attended by Mamdani’s family and close supporters at the former City Hall IRT subway station, a site chosen to underscore his commitment to public transit. Mamdani took the oath with his hands placed on two Qurans, one belonging to his grandfather and another from the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Calling the moment “the honor and privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani emphasized that his leadership would be collective rather than personal. He campaigned on a platform centered on lowering the cost of living in the nation’s largest city, including proposals for universal free childcare, a free public bus system, and a freeze on rent increases for certain regulated apartments.

Later on Thursday, Mamdani is scheduled to participate in a larger public inauguration and block party, where U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders will administer a ceremonial oath. The event is expected to draw thousands and reflects Mamdani’s stated goal of making his administration inclusive and accessible to all New Yorkers.

As his term begins, Mamdani has said he is confident his administration will be ready to deliver both on its affordability agenda and on essential city services, with the next major political milestone coming on January 7, when New York’s state legislative session opens in Albany.