Zohran Mamdani, an Indian-origin American politician, officially assumed office as the mayor of New York City early Thursday, marking the beginning of his four-year tenure. The 34-year-old Democrat took the oath just after midnight at the long-shuttered City Hall subway station beneath Manhattan, a site known for its historic charm and architectural elegance.
The ceremony carried strong symbolic weight, as Mamdani became the first Muslim to hold the city’s top executive position. Placing his hand on the Quran, he described the moment as the greatest honor of his life. The oath was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a long-time political ally, at the former subway station that once served as one of the city’s earliest transit stops.
Later in the day, Mamdani is scheduled to take the oath again during a larger public ceremony at City Hall. This event will be led by US Senator Bernie Sanders, a figure Mamdani has often cited as a political influence. The celebrations will extend into a public gathering along Broadway’s famed “Canyon of Heroes,” a location traditionally associated with major civic parades.
Mamdani’s rise to the mayor’s office has drawn national attention, particularly due to his progressive ideology and outspoken criticism of US President Donald Trump during the campaign. At one point, Trump warned that federal support for New York City could be reduced if Mamdani won, and even suggested the possibility of deploying National Guard troops. Despite this tense rhetoric, Trump later invited Mamdani to the White House for a meeting that was described as cordial, stating publicly that he hoped the new mayor would succeed.
Political observers expect friction to return, especially on issues such as immigration, where the two leaders hold sharply opposing views. Even so, Mamdani’s victory signals a shift in the city’s political landscape and reflects changing voter priorities.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani is the son of Indian-origin parents, acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair and noted academic Mahmood Mamdani. He spent parts of his childhood in South Africa before moving to New York at a young age. His education includes studies at Bowdoin College, where he earned a degree in Africana Studies and became involved in progressive activism.
Before becoming mayor, Mamdani served in the New York State Assembly, representing Astoria and Long Island City. His work focused on housing access, affordable transit, and immigrant rights, themes that formed the backbone of his mayoral campaign. A practicing Shia Muslim, he recently married Syrian artist Rama Duwaji, and the couple is set to move into the city’s official mayoral residence, marking a new chapter both personally and politically.
