Zohran Mamdani turned mayor of New York Metropolis simply after midnight Thursday, taking the oath of workplace at an historic, decommissioned subway station in Manhattan.Mamdani, a Democrat, was sworn in as the primary Muslim chief of America’s largest metropolis, putting his hand on a Quran as he took his oath.“That is actually the dignity and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani mentioned in a quick speech.The ceremony, administered by New York Lawyer Common Letitia James, a political ally, came about on the outdated Metropolis Corridor station, one of many metropolis’s authentic subway stops that’s recognized for its beautiful arched ceilings.In Mamdani’s first speech as mayor, he mentioned the outdated subway station was a “testomony to the significance of public transit to the vitality, the well being and the legacy of our metropolis” as he introduced the appointment of his new Division of Transportation commissioner, Mike Flynn.The brand new mayor then closed: “Thanks all a lot, now I’ll so long,” he mentioned with a smile earlier than heading up a flight of stairs.Mamdani might be sworn in once more, in grander fashion, in a public ceremony at Metropolis Corridor at 1 p.m. by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of many mayor’s political heroes. That might be adopted by what the brand new administration is billing as a public block get together on a stretch of Broadway often called the “Canyon of Heroes,” well-known for its ticker-tape parades.Mamdani now begins one of the vital unrelenting jobs in American politics as one of many nation’s most-watched politicians.Along with being town’s first Muslim mayor, Mamdani can also be its first of South Asian descent and the primary to be born in Africa. At 34, Mamdani can also be town’s youngest mayor in generations.In a marketing campaign that helped make “affordability” a buzzword throughout the political spectrum, the democratic socialist promised to carry transformative change with insurance policies meant to decrease the price of dwelling in one of many world’s most costly cities. His platform included free little one care, free buses, a hire freeze for about 1 million households, and a pilot of city-run grocery shops.However he may also need to face different duties: dealing with trash and snow and rats, whereas getting blamed for subway delays and potholes.Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, the son of filmmaker Mira Nair and Mahmood Mamdani, a tutorial and writer. His household moved to New York Metropolis when he was 7, with Mamdani rising up in a post-9/11 metropolis the place Muslims didn’t at all times really feel welcome. He turned an American citizen in 2018.He labored on political campaigns for Democratic candidates within the metropolis earlier than he sought public workplace himself, profitable a state Meeting seat in 2020 to signify a bit of Queens.Mamdani and his spouse, Rama Duwaji, will depart their one-bedroom, hire stabilized condominium within the outer-borough to take up residence within the stately mayoral residence in Manhattan.Mamdani inherits a metropolis on the upswing, after years of sluggish restoration from the COVID-19 pandemic. Violent crime has dropped to pre-pandemic lows. Vacationers are again. Unemployment, which soared in the course of the pandemic years, can also be again to pre-COVID ranges.But deep issues stay about excessive costs and rising rents within the metropolis.He’ll additionally need to take care of Republican President Donald Trump.Throughout the mayoral race, Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from town if Mamdani received and mused about sending Nationwide Guard troops to town.However Trump stunned supporters and foes alike by inviting the Democrat to the White Home for what ended up being a cordial assembly in November.“I need him to do an excellent job and can assist him do an excellent job,” Trump mentioned.Nonetheless, tensions between the 2 leaders are nearly sure to resurface, given their deep coverage disagreements, notably over immigration.Mamdani additionally faces skepticism and opposition from some members of town’s Jewish neighborhood over his criticisms of Israel’s authorities.The brand new mayor and his crew have spent the weeks since his election victory making ready for the transition, surrounding Mamdani with seasoned fingers who’ve labored inside or alongside metropolis authorities.That included persuading town’s police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, to stay in her place — a transfer that helped calm fears within the enterprise neighborhood that the administration is likely to be planning radical modifications in policing technique.