Zohran Mamdani was sworn in early Thursday as New York City’s 111th mayor, becoming the city’s first Muslim leader and the latest progressive to take the helm of the nation’s largest city.

Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath in a small, intimate ceremony at the historic City Hall IRT subway station, closed since 1945, as supporters counted down the seconds.

Mamdani placed his hands on two Qurans — one belonging to his grandfather and another from the Schomburg Centre for Research in Black Culture — reflecting his personal and cultural heritage.

“This is truly the honour and the privilege of a lifetime,” Mamdani said, praising the ornate subway station as a symbol of the vital role of public transit in the city.

Later Thursday, Mamdani will hold a larger inauguration ceremony and public block party, with Senator Bernie Sanders administering a ceremonial oath to 4,000 invited guests, while the block party remains open to all.

“It’s not my success, it’s our success,” Mamdani said.

The new mayor campaigned on an ambitious progressive agenda, including universal free childcare, free bus service, and rent freezes for certain units, largely funded by higher taxes on New Yorkers earning over $1 million.

Implementing these proposals will require cooperation with state leaders, including Governor Kathy Hochul, who has expressed openness to exploring alternative revenue sources.

Mamdani said he expects to have his administration fully staffed and ready to begin work immediately, including addressing affordability issues and essential city services.

His next major milestone will be the start of the 2026 state legislative session on January 7.