New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani vows to govern 'audaciously' | Live updates
Last updated: Friday, January 2, 2026 4:24AM GMT
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Zohran Mamdani was officially sworn in as mayor of New York City just after midnight Thursday, but politicians and other supporters are gathered later in the day at City Hall for a larger ceremony.
Mamdani is the city's first Muslim mayor, its first of South Asian descent and the first to be born in Africa. At 34, he is also the city's youngest mayor since the late 19th century.
The democratic socialist takes office after an historic campaign made "affordability" a national buzzword across the political spectrum.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders administered the public ceremonial oath of office to Mamdani at today's event, broadcast on Channel 7 and streaming on ABC 7 New York.
Jan 01, 2026, 5:16 PM GMT
Inauguration to feature celebrity appearances
Among the celebrities participating in today's inauguration is Grammy winner Lucy Dacus, who will sing "Bread and Roses," a early 20th century labor movement song embraced by the Democratic Socialists of America.
Actor and singer Mandy Patinkin will perform "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with the P.S. 22 Chorus of Staten Island. Patankin is a vocal Jewish Mamdani supporter who made a Hanukkah video with Mamdani at his home.
Singer Babbu, aka "Babbulicious," will perform "Gaddi Red Challenger." He is an influencer, comedian, artist, designer and children's book author. He is best known for his YouTube videos with Jasmeet Singh,
National Book Award finalist Cornelius Eady will recite his poem "Proof," written for the inauguration, described as a public poem, a tribute to "people that you don't see."
Jan 01, 2026, 4:40 PM GMT
First tweet as mayor of NYC
Jan 01, 2026, 4:37 PM GMT
Mamdani's second swearing-in
NY Attorney General Letitia James, left, administers the oath of office to mayor-elect Mamdani, center, as his wife Rama Duwaji holds 2 Qurans, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York.
Mamdani will be sworn in again today by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of the mayor's political heroes.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will deliver opening remarks at today's inauguration, which begins at 1:00 p.m.
That will be followed by what his office is billing as a public block party on a stretch of Broadway known as the "Canyon of Heroes," famous for its ticker-tape parades.
The event is expected to draw 40,000 people.
Jan 01, 2026, 3:46 PM GMT
Crowds begin to arrive
Some people have begun to gather for Mayor Zohran Mamdani's inauguration. Police have set up barricades along Broadway near Fulton Street. It's pretty cold outside, so not many early arrivals and the streets are mostly empty.
The crowd begins to gather at the security checkpoint for Mayor Zohran Mamdani's inauguration.
