ABC News

Mayor Zohran Mamdani after his inauguration speech

To ring in the new year, New York City’s newest mayor was sworn in on January 1, 2026. Zohran Mamdani was previously the representative of the 36th New York State Assembly District and its neighborhoods of Astoria, Ditmars-Steinway, and Astoria Heights, according to nyc.gov. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, won the election with over 1 million votes, leading his campaign with the slogan “A city we can afford,” (npr.org). 

Senator Bernie Sanders, representative of Vermont since 2007, administered the oath of office to Mamdani. He says in his speech, “At a time in our country’s history when we are seeing too much hatred, too much divisiveness, and too much injustice, thank you for electing Zohran Mamdani as your mayor,” and continued saying. “New York, thank you for inspiring our nation, thank you for giving us from coast to coast, the hope and the vision that we can create a government that works for all, not just the wealthy and the few.”

 Mamdani is New York City’s first Muslim and Indian mayor at 34 years old and has appealed greatly to the Gen Z audience. They have shown great interest in Mamdani and his administration, with about 75% of young voters voting for him, 19% voting for the previous mayor, Andrew Cuomo, and 5% voting for Curtis Sliwa, according to circle.tufts.edu. Mamdani plans to raise taxes on those making over $1 million, which he claims will make the city cheaper and will lower taxes on the middle and lower classes (nbcnewyork.com).

Mamdani is already taking action with Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York,  by announcing a program providing universal childcare for two-year-olds in New York City called “2-care,” according to abc7ny.com. They are working in partnership to eventually “achieve universal health care and ultimately serve all families across the city.” On this, Bernie Sanders said, “This is what our kids need. This is what working parents need. And this is what we should have throughout our country.” 

Mamdani has also pledged to improve NYC’s environment with his partnership with the school systems called Green Schools for a healthier New York City. He plans to add rooftop solar panels, which would emit 91% less greenhouse gases as stated by zohranfornyc.com, and to build green school yards, which would replace asphalt with “vibrant eco-friendly spaces,” also adding natural elements. 

Mamdani also has strong opinions against Trump and has publicly called him a fascist and a despot, which is a ruler or other person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel or oppressive way. Mamdani’s policies and opinions are very different from Trump’s; he plans to make many different changes contrary to Trump’s ideals. Overall, voters are looking forward to Zohran Mamdani’s time in office and are reportedly feeling excited and think New York needs this fresh face. One of Mamdani’s biggest opinions on immigration is what New Yorkers love: “New York will remain a city of immigrants, a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and as of tonight, led by an immigrant.”