Zohran Mamdani Sworn In as New York’s First Muslim Mayor Amid Tensions With Trump
Zohran Mamdani has officially taken office as mayor of New York City, becoming the first Muslim to lead the nation’s largest city. The 34-year-old Democrat was sworn in just after midnight on January 1, 2026, beginning a four-year term expected to be shaped by frequent clashes with US President Donald Trump.
Mamdani took his oath at an abandoned subway station beneath City Hall, a symbolic choice his office said reflected his commitment to working-class New Yorkers. Speaking after the ceremony, Mamdani described the moment as the “honor and privilege of a lifetime.” His private swearing-in was conducted by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who previously led a successful fraud case against Trump.
A relative newcomer to citywide politics, Mamdani rose rapidly on a platform focused on lowering living costs. His campaign pledged rent freezes, universal childcare, and free public buses, proposals that energized progressive voters but raised doubts among critics about feasibility. Political analysts say delivering concrete results will be key to maintaining public support.
Relations with the White House remain uncertain. While Trump has previously attacked Mamdani and threatened to cut federal funding to New York, the two held unexpectedly cordial talks in November. Analysts caution, however, that tensions could escalate, particularly over immigration enforcement, as Mamdani has vowed to protect immigrant communities from federal raids.
A larger public inauguration was scheduled later in the day outside City Hall, featuring speeches from Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Thousands of guests were expected to attend, alongside a city-wide block party organized to allow broader public participation.
Born in Uganda to a family of Indian origin, Mamdani moved to New York at age seven. He later served in the New York State Assembly before winning the mayoral race. Now relocating from a rent-controlled apartment in Queens to the official mayoral residence in Manhattan, he said the move was driven primarily by security concerns.
As mayor, Mamdani faces the challenge of governing a deeply divided city while balancing progressive goals, business concerns, and national political pressure. His leadership marks a historic moment for New York, opening a new chapter defined by both high expectations and intense scrutiny.
