Zohran Mamdani becomes the first Muslim mayor of America's largest city at midnight, and the youthful optimism of his democratic-socialist platform will be put to the test once he takes office, accompanied by high expectations.
The Democratic team is planning two separate swearing-in ceremonies on Thursday — a small, private one with his family at an old subway station around midnight, followed by a big event in the afternoon that will include a public celebration on the block outside City Hall.
Since a new mayor's term begins immediately with the new year, it has been customary for the city's incoming leaders to hold two events.
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams took his first oath of office in Times Square immediately after the famous ball drop, while Adams' predecessor, Bill de Blasio, took his first oath of office at home in Brooklyn.
For his part, Mamdani will take his first oath of office at the former City Hall subway station in Manhattan - one of the city's original stops on its underground transportation system, known for its tiled arches and vaulted ceilings.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, a political ally and prominent foe of President Donald Trump, will administer the oath of office.
The old City Hall stop was designed as the main station of the city's first subway line, but was dismantled in 1945. These days, aside from occasional guided historical tours, locals can usually only see it by standing on the 6 train after its final stop in the city center, as it turns north.
In a statement, Mamdan's office said the choice to be sworn in at the station reflected his "commitment to the people who work and keep our city running every day."
"When the old City Hall station first opened in 1904 — one of the original 28 New York City subway stations — it was a physical monument to a city that dared to be beautiful and build great things that would transform the lives of working people," Mamdani said.
"This ambition should not be a memory confined to our past, nor should it be isolated to the tunnels beneath City Hall: it will be the goal of an administration destined to serve New Yorkers from the building above," he added.
On Thursday afternoon, Mamdani will be sworn in again, this time by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, one of his political heroes, on the steps of City Hall in a ceremony scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, another political ally, will deliver the opening remarks.
Mamdani's transition formed an inaugural committee that includes actor John Turturro, playwright Cole Escola and writer Colson Whitehead, as well as lawyers, small business owners and campaign staffers, who the incoming mayor's office says have "provided perspective, guidance and cultural sensitivity" for the ceremony.
The public swearing-in will be accompanied by a block party along a stretch of Broadway that leads to City Hall. Mamdan's office expects thousands of people to attend and says there will be performances, music and interfaith elements. /Telegraph/
