New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani vows to govern 'audaciously' | Live updates

In his first press conference as New York City mayor, Zohran Mamdani announced three executive orders around housing and tenant protection.

One will revive the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants, which will be led by Cea Weaver, who will serve as the executive director.

The other two executive orders establish task forces related to accelerating housing development.

The LIFT (Land Inventory Fast Track) task force will identify city-owned properties suitable for housing development.

The SPEED (Streamlining Procedures to Expedite Equitable Development) task force will identify and remove bureaucratic and permitting barriers that drive up costs and slow the construction of housing.

The task forces will be overseen by the deputy mayor for housing and planning.

Anthony Carlo has more on the housing-related executive orders announced by Mayor Mamdani following his public inauguration ceremony.

The press conference was held at 85 Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn, a rent-stabilized building, where residents are threatening a rent strike.

The building, owned by Pinnacle Realty, is one of 90-plus buildings in bankruptcy proceedings set to be auctioned off to a different landlord who ranks No. 6 on the list of worst landlords in New York City, according to Mamdani.

He said the city will be taking action in the bankruptcy case, and will step in to represent the interests of the city and tenants.

"The city of New York has not lacked for tools or tactics. The city of New York has lacked for intent," he said of the city's legal action with landlord Pinnacle.

He has tasked Steve Banks, newly appointed as counsel corporation, to take action.

In his first two executive orders, announced in a press release, Zohran Mamdani revoked all executive orders issued after Sept. 26, 2024, the day former New York City Mayor Eric Adams was indicted, saying "that was a date that marked a moment when many New Yorkers decided politics held nothing for them."

It also established that he will have five deputy mayors, less than during the Adams administration.

The deputy mayors include the following:

"Today marks the first step in building an administration that works for all New Yorkers," said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. "We've established the foundations of it, and now it's time to deliver on our affordability agenda, tackle the challenges facing New Yorkers, and usher in a new era for New York City - one that proves that government can deliver for working people."

When asked about the future of the Rent Guidelines Board, Mamdani said, "I continue to be confident that the Rent Guidelines Board will assess the landscape of tenants for rent-stabilized units across this city and find they're in dire need of relief."

Also, Mamdani said he will keep the recently-created Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism.

The new mayor gave his speech just moments after his public swearing-in ceremony.

Political expert David Birdsell analyzes the message of Mamdani's speech.

Kean University provost David Birdsell joins Eyewitness News to discuss the new mayor.

Sonia Rincon reports on the Mayor's inauguration.

"Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed, but never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try," Mamdani told a cheering crowd.

"To those who insist that the era of big government is over, hear me when I say this: No longer will City Hall hesitate to use its power to improve New Yorkers' lives," he said.

This is part of his first public address to New Yorkers.

CeFaan Kim reports from City Hall.