Senator Bernie Sanders administered the oath of office for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at City Hall on Thursday, marking a significant moment in progressive politics while appearing without his iconic mittens that made him a global sensation during President Biden’s 2021 inauguration.

The Vermont senator, who had become an internet phenomenon when photos of him bundled in a winter coat and handmade mittens went viral four years ago, opted instead for standard winter gloves, a blue beanie, and a puffy green coat for the swearing-in ceremony of the self-described democratic socialist mayor.

Before administering the oath, Sanders delivered a passionate address praising Mamdani’s campaign and political agenda. He framed the election as a rejection of established political powers, telling supporters that volunteers “took on the Democratic establishment, the Republican establishment, the president of the United States and some enormously wealthy oligarchs.”

Sanders vigorously defended Mamdani’s policy platform against critics who had labeled such proposals as “radical” or “communistic.” The senator argued that initiatives like affordable housing, free childcare, free bus transportation, and increased taxation on wealthy citizens were “not radical” but necessary in what he described as “the richest country in the history of the world.”

The swearing-in ceremony, which took place shortly after 2:40 p.m., prompted enthusiastic chants of “Zohran” from the crowd gathered at City Hall. Among the notable attendees were New York Attorney General Letitia James and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, highlighting the growing coalition of progressive leadership in New York politics.

In his inaugural address, Mamdani, who made history as the first mayor to be sworn in on the Quran during a New York City inauguration, pledged to “govern expansively and audaciously.” He outlined an ambitious progressive agenda that includes freezing rents for stabilized apartments, implementing universal childcare, making public buses free, and increasing taxes on wealthy New Yorkers.

“I was elected as a democratic socialist, and I will govern as a democratic socialist,” Mamdani declared to his supporters, signaling his commitment to the political philosophy he shares with Sanders.

During the ceremony, Sanders was spotted sitting cross-legged in the audience during a performance of “Bread and Roses” by Lucy Dacus—an anthem associated with the socialist movement. The posture evoked memories of his iconic seated pose from Biden’s inauguration, though without the mittens that had captured the public’s imagination.

Those mittens, handcrafted by Vermont schoolteacher Jen Ellis, became a cultural phenomenon in 2021, spawning countless memes, merchandise, and even fundraising initiatives. Ellis later revealed in a 2022 interview with Vermont Public that approximately $2 million had been raised for Vermont charities through mitten-related fundraising efforts after the internet sensation.

Sanders’ presence at Mamdani’s inauguration underscores the continuing influence of progressive politics in urban centers across America, particularly in New York City, where democratic socialism has gained significant traction in recent years. It also reflects the mentorship role Sanders continues to play for a new generation of left-leaning politicians seeking to implement bold policy agendas in major metropolitan areas.

The ceremony represents a notable milestone in American politics—connecting one of the most recognizable figures in progressive politics with an emerging leader who represents the movement’s future and diversification. Mamdani’s inauguration, with Sanders administering the oath, symbolizes the passing of the progressive torch to a new generation of elected officials committed to implementing democratic socialist policies at the municipal level.