In a whirlwind first day that set the tone for his administration, New York City's new Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, unleashed a series of bold executive actions, immediately fulfilling his pledge to govern as a democratic socialist. The 34-year-old mayor, fresh from a lavish inauguration block party in Manhattan, headed straight to Brooklyn to sign the orders, focusing heavily on housing and tenants' rights—a cornerstone of his campaign.
A Swift Start: Housing Justice and Reversing Predecessor
Mamdani's initial moves delivered on key promises made during his election battle, where he vowed to freeze rents. He announced the creation of new task forces designed to protect tenants and to streamline city development projects. In a significant symbolic and practical step, he revived the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants and appointed progressive housing activist Cea Weaver to lead it.
Furthermore, the mayor confirmed the city would take action in a bankruptcy case against major landlord Pinnacle. However, his most sweeping initial order was a direct break with the past. Mamdani issued an executive order that canceled the majority of orders signed by his predecessor, Eric Adams, after September 26, 2024. This was the date Adams was indicted by a federal grand jury in a corruption probe that led to several resignations.
Mamdani described this reset as necessary, stating many of the revocations were symbolic and would be reissued, including one maintaining the city's Office to Combat Antisemitism. As the city's first Muslim mayor, his stance on the Palestinian cause has been viewed with some scepticism by parts of the Jewish community.
Inauguration Day: A Promise of Audacious Governance
The day began with an inauguration attended by left-wing stalwarts including Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who oversaw the swearing-in, and Queens Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. In his speech, Mamdani left no doubt about his political direction.
'I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist,' he declared. 'The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations. Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously.'
Striking a more conciliatory tone than his fiery election night speech—where he told supporters he would never again mention defeated opponent Andrew Cuomo—Mamdani reached out to voters who had backed Donald Trump. He acknowledged their primary concern was the rocketing cost of living and promised their needs would be met.
Policy Vision: Taxing Wealth for Social Programmes
Outlining his policy platform, Mamdani echoed Senator Sanders' long-standing calls to tax the wealthy to fund social services. He vowed to tackle New York's 'long-broken property tax system' and impose a millionaire tax. The revenue, he argued, would fund universal childcare and free bus services across the city.
'The cost of child care will no longer discourage young adults from starting a family, because we will deliver universal child care for the many by taxing the wealthiest few,' he proclaimed. Critics have warned such policies risk driving the ultra-wealthy, whose taxes fund public services, out of the city.
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and is one of the youngest mayors in the city's history, was accompanied by his wife, 28-year-old Rama Duwaji, now the youngest-ever First Lady of New York City. His rapid-fire first day in office has firmly positioned his administration as one of the most ideologically distinct in recent memory, sparking widespread conversation about the future of socialist policies within the Democratic Party.
