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, 8:28 PM GMT
Bernie Sanders swears in Mamdani
The crowd rose to its feet as Senator Bernie Sanders took the stage to swear in Mamdani.
US Senator Bernie Sanders speaks during New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani's public inauguration ceremony. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images)
Sanders, praising Mamdani's campaign, told the crowd that "When people stand up, there's nothing we cannot accomplish."
He also applauded Mamdani's ambition to use government power to help lift the millions of people struggling with the city's high cost of living.
Sanders insisted that doing so - partly by raising taxes on the rich - wouldn't be radical.
"In the richest country in the history of the world, making sure that people can live in affordable housing is not radical," he told the crowd. "It is the right and decent thing to do."
Bernie Sanders spoke to the crowd, before performing a ceremonial swearing in of the new mayor.
He then presided over a ceremonial swearing-in of Mamdani as mayor. He officially took the oath of office just after midnight.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) shakes hands with Mayor Zohran Mamdani hug after Mamdani's ceremonial inauguration at City Hall (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
Jan 01, 2026, 7:59 PM GMT
Who makes up Mamdani's administration?
Joe Torres reports on Zohran Mamdani's appointments for his administration.
Jan 01, 2026, 8:02 PM GMT
Jumaane Williams shares emotional message
Re-elected New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams had a powerful message to young people, and to his younger self, during his address at the Inauguration of Zohran Mamdani.
New York City Public Advocate delivers an address at the inauguration of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on the steps of City Hall.
Jan 01, 2026, 7:34 PM GMT
Jumaane Williams sworn in as public advocate
Jumaane Williams is sworn in as New York City Public Advocate during the ceremonial inauguration for the new Mamdani administration (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Several immigrants led the swearing-in of the city's public advocate, Jumaane Williams. He has held the role since 2019.
He previously served on the NYC Council representing the 45th District neighborhoods of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Flatlands, and Marine Park in Brooklyn from 2010 to 2019.
Williams is a first-generation Brooklyn native of Grenadian heritage who graduated from the NYC public school system and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Brooklyn College.
As public advocate, his duties include serving "as an ombudsman for city government, providing oversight for city agencies, investigating citizens' complaints about city services and making proposals to address perceived shortcomings or failures of those services," according to his biography on the city's official public advocate website.
