The political landscape of New York City shifted dramatically as democratic socialist Zohran Kwame Mamdani was sworn into office, with US Senator Bernie Sanders presiding over a ceremony punctuated by fervent chants from the public.
A Historic Inauguration for a Progressive Agenda
On Thursday 1 January 2026, Zohran Mamdani officially became the mayor of New York City. The public ceremony, held hours after a private midnight swearing-in, was a landmark event for the city's left-wing movement. Mamdani's path to City Hall was historic; he inspired a record-breaking turnout of more than 2 million voters and secured a decisive victory with 50% of the vote the previous November.
In his address, the new mayor pledged an aggressive and transformative agenda focused squarely on alleviating the cost-of-living crisis for working families. His core campaign promises, which formed the backbone of his inauguration speech, include implementing universal childcare, enforcing truly affordable rent controls, and establishing free bus services across the city.
Democratic Socialist Heavyweights Rally the Crowd
The event was notably headlined by two of America's most prominent democratic socialists: US Senator Bernie Sanders and US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Their presence underscored the national significance of Mamdani's victory. Senator Sanders, whom Mamdani has frequently cited as his primary political inspiration, offered a robust defence of the incoming mayor's platform.
"Making sure that people can live in affordable housing is not radical," Sanders declared to the assembled crowd of several thousand. "It is the right and decent thing to do." His words were met with resounding cheers, but the atmosphere reached a crescendo when he called for America's millionaires and billionaires to contribute more through taxation.
'Tax the Rich': The Chant That Defined the Day
The senator's call to action ignited the audience, who spontaneously broke into a loud and sustained chant of "tax the rich." This moment captured the defiant, populist tone of the inauguration and signalled the policy battles ahead. The chant echoed through the venue, becoming the defining soundbite of a day that marked a new chapter for the nation's largest city.
The inauguration of Zohran Mamdani represents a significant test for progressive politics at the municipal level. With a clear electoral mandate and the backing of influential national figures, his administration now faces the formidable task of turning its ambitious, affordability-focused agenda into a tangible reality for millions of New Yorkers.
