Key events
This concludes our live broadcast of the historic inauguration of Zogran Mamdani. Thank you so much for reading to the end and we wish you all a safe and healthy new year.
Edward Helmore
Zoran Mamdani now begins one of the most unrelenting jobs in American politics as one of the nation's most closely watched politicians whose platform promises free child care, free buses, a rent freeze for about 1 million families and a pilot for city grocery stores.
But the estimated $10 billion cost of providing these services may be difficult to pin down. Mamdani has promised to raise taxes on New York's wealthiest residents and increase corporate taxes. But as a vassal city of Albany's state government, it would need the governor's legislative support. Kathy Hochulwho is running for re-election next year.
He will also have to deal with Donald Trumpwho called the new mayor a “communist” and threatened to withhold federal funding from the city. But a friendly meeting between inner-city New York City residents last month, in which they united over building more housing in the city, surprised many who were expecting political fireworks.
“I want him to do a great job and I will help him do a great job,” Trump said.
Here are some more photos from the inauguration.
“The work, my friends, has just begun,” says a beaming Mamdani, concluding his speech.
Blue and gold confetti rains down on the (freezing by the way!) crowd, whose spirits remain high.
“We will set an example for the whole world. If what Sinatra said is true, let's prove that anyone can achieve this in New Yorkand anywhere else,” he says.
Mamdani is aware that the success of his administration will affect New York but will also have wider implications for the rest of the country.
“A lot of people will be watching. They want to know if the left can run the country,” he says.
Being mayor New YorkMamdani says he's like Jadakisswill be “outside”.
He says he will not give up his principles for fear of being seen as “radical”.
I was elected as a democratic socialist, and I will govern as a democratic socialist.
Mamdani says his program will ensure “security, affordability and abundance.”
He offers a new answer to the question: “Who makes New York belong?
For too long, he said, it had belonged to “rich, well-connected people.” “Workers have taken the consequences into account.”
Mamdani promises to govern with “expansiveness and courage”, refusing to overestimate expectations
Mamdani says he was advised to lower his expectations when writing his speech.
I won't do anything like that. The only expectation I strive to change is small expectations.
Starting today, we will govern expansively and boldly. We may not always succeed, but we will never be accused of lacking the courage to try.
He also pays tribute Bernie Sandersnaming him the person whose leadership he most strives to emulate.
Mamdani also pays tribute certificate of conformitytelling her, “You paved the way for this moment.”
He kindly thanks his predecessor, Eric Adams(whose name evokes cheers from the crowd), adding:
I will always be touched that he chose me as the mayoral candidate he would most like to be trapped in an elevator with.
Addressing those who did not vote for him, those who view him with “mistrust and disdain,” and those who have lost faith in politics, he says:
While changing minds can only be done through action, I promise you this: If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor.
He jokes that he is honored to be the 111th or 112th mayor of New York (after it was revealed that the city maybe I counted wrong for decades).
