Zohran Mamdani was inaugurated as New York City mayor in a chilly ceremony at City Hall Park, pledging to govern as a democratic socialist amid a large crowd. Within hours, he issued an executive order revoking several pro-Israel policies established by his predecessor. The moves drew praise from supporters for affordability and diversity initiatives but criticism from Jewish community leaders and Israel.
On a frigid morning in City Hall Park, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City's mayor by Attorney General Letitia James at midnight on January 1, 2026. Thousands braved the cold for what was billed as a "free, public block party," with speakers including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Comptroller Mark Levine, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Senator Bernie Sanders emphasizing diversity, immigrant protections, and economic justice.
Levine highlighted the city's multilingual and multicultural swearings-in—using a Quran, Christian Bible, and Chumash—noting that while New York booms for the wealthy, working families struggle. Williams invoked Grenadian revolutionary Maurice Bishop, stressing housing, healthcare, and education as non-radical ideals. Sanders argued that affordable housing, free childcare, and fair taxation are standard globally, not extreme, prompting chants of "Tax the rich!"
In his speech, Mamdani addressed New Yorkers from Flushing to East New York, vowing: "I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist. I will not abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical." He rejected resetting expectations downward, promising "expansive and audacious" governance to make the city affordable for all residents.
Hours later, Mamdani signed an executive order revoking all mayoral directives after September 26, 2024, including the IHRA definition of antisemitism, Executive Order 60 barring boycotts of Israel, and protest-free zones around synagogues. He framed this as a "fresh start" post-Eric Adams's indictment but aligned with his history: founding a Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, sponsoring the "Not on Our Dime" Act against Israeli aid charities, and criticizing Israel's actions as "genocide."
While Mamdani plans to retain the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, critics like Israel's Foreign Ministry decry the changes as hostility toward the Jewish state. Democratic Socialists of America documents suggest further divestment from Israeli bonds and ending NYPD-Israel ties, raising concerns in New York's Jewish community about institutionalizing anti-Zionism.
Mamdani's predecessor David Dinkins, also a democratic socialist, offers historical precedent, though success varied without federal support—unlike the current Trump administration.
