New York City ushered in 2026 with a decidedly subterranean twist when 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor just after midnight in the long-abandoned Old City Hall subway station, a beaux-arts beauty closed since 1945.
The private ceremony, administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James, marked the official start of Mamdani’s term before a larger public event and block party scheduled for later in the day.
Mamdani’s arrival signals a fresh emphasis on public transit and affordability, with commuters quietly hopeful that someone who chose a defunct station for his oath might finally fix the delays that turn morning rides into endurance tests.
His immediate appointment of veteran planner Mike Flynn as transportation commissioner suggests the subway system—often the envy of no one—could soon receive the attention it deserves, potentially sparing riders from those awkward platform dances around delayed trains.
Surrounded by his wife, Rama Duwaji, and family—including acclaimed filmmaker mother Mira Nair and Columbia professor father Mahmood Mamdani—the new mayor placed his hand on two Qur’ans: one from his grandfather and another historic volume from the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center.
Becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor to swear on Islam’s holy book, Mamdani called it “the honor and privilege of a lifetime.”
He highlighted the station’s role as a nod to public transit’s importance, noting how the elegant 1904 original stop represented a bolder era of city-building.
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams attended, ensuring a smooth handover—perhaps relieved to surface after years of scrutiny.
Mamdani wasted no time announcing Flynn’s role, aiming to make New York’s transit “the envy of the world.” Flynn, accepting what he dubbed the “job of a lifetime,” drew chuckles from the small crowd.
The guest list featured a eclectic New York mix: actors like John Turturro, writers such as Colson Whitehead, advocates, and campaign workers who lent their insights to the festivities. Mamdani concluded with a lighthearted “see you later,” prompting laughter as attendees climbed the wide stairs back to street level.
This midnight ritual sets the stage for a 1 p.m. public swearing-in, where Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will introduce him and Senator Bernie Sanders will administer the oath.
A block party outside City Hall promises to extend the celebrations, turning Broadway into a pedestrian paradise for the afternoon. The choice of the old station underscores Mamdani’s focus on working New Yorkers who rely on the subway daily.
As he put it, the 1904 opening embodied ambition to create beautiful, transformative infrastructure for everyday people. Mamdani’s path to this moment began as a state assemblyman trailing Andrew Cuomo heavily in early polls.
His campaign surged through relentless door-knocking—over 10,000 volunteers hit more than 100,000 doors—and a vibrant social media presence that energized young and first-time voters. Promises of rent freezes, free metro rides, city-run groceries, and enhanced mental health services resonated amid rising living costs.
In November, he secured 50.78% of the vote, besting Curtis Sliwa and a persistent Cuomo running independently. His victory speech emphasized power belonging to working New Yorkers outside traditional halls of influence. Observers note Mamdani reflects a shifting city: younger, more diverse, with fresh priorities.
As the new administration begins, riders might wonder if those grand vaulted ceilings will inspire equally grand improvements above ground.
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