In a historic moment for New York City, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor early Thursday morning, marking several significant firsts for the nation’s largest metropolis. The 34-year-old socialist took his oath of office at midnight, administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, with a second ceremonial swearing-in scheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Mamdani made history as the first Muslim mayor of New York City and the first to take the oath of office using a Quran. The public inauguration ceremony, set for 1 p.m. on New Year’s Day, will feature Senator Bernie Sanders administering the oath and progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivering the opening remarks.

“At a moment when democracy is under attack and cynicism about our politics runs deep, Zohran Mamdani represents a new generation of progressive leadership rooted in courage, integrity and solidarity,” Sanders said in a statement supporting the new mayor.

The transition team has invited “all New Yorkers” to attend the public ceremony, which will be followed by what they described as a “huge inaugural block party” along Broadway’s Canyon of Heroes, a historic stretch known for ticker-tape parades celebrating significant achievements and figures.

Mamdani’s November election victory represented a dramatic shift in the city’s political landscape. He defeated high-profile opponents, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, with a campaign centered on affordability issues in a city known for its increasingly prohibitive cost of living.

“For as long as we can remember, the working people of New York have been told by the wealthy and the well-connected that power does not belong in their hands,” Mamdani declared in his victory speech last month. “Tonight, against all odds, we have grasped it. The future is in our hands. My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty.”

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani weathered significant criticism regarding his self-identified socialist positions, which include proposals for rent freezes, city-operated grocery stores, and past statements supporting police defunding. Critics also raised concerns about his previous anti-Israel statements and associations, particularly as tensions in the Middle East remained a contentious issue in New York politics.

Despite these controversies, Mamdani’s message of economic justice and affordability resonated with voters in a city where housing costs and economic inequality have reached crisis levels. His election signals a potential leftward shift in urban governance and represents the growing influence of progressive movements in major metropolitan areas.

The inauguration comes at a challenging time for New York City, which continues to face significant issues including housing shortages, public safety concerns, and post-pandemic economic recovery challenges. Mamdani will inherit these complex problems as he takes leadership of a city with over 8.5 million residents and an annual budget exceeding $100 billion.

Political analysts note that Mamdani’s administration will be closely watched by progressives nationwide as a test case for implementing policies that have often been dismissed as too radical for mainstream governance. His success or failure could significantly influence the trajectory of left-wing politics within the Democratic Party.

As the youngest mayor in recent New York City history, Mamdani’s inauguration also represents a generational shift in leadership. His administration will be scrutinized for how it balances progressive ideals with the practical demands of managing America’s largest urban center, whose economic influence extends far beyond its five boroughs.

The ceremony’s high-profile attendees, including Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, underscore the national significance of this mayoral transition and the growing political movement it represents.