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By Mandy Taheri
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While many people in New York were watching the Times Square ball drop at midnight to ring in the new year, Zohran Mamdani was taking the oath to become New York City's next mayor.
A public swearing-in ceremony is slated for January 1 in the afternoon.
When Will Mamdani Be Sworn in Today?
Mamdani was sworn into office at an abandoned City Hall subway station at midnight on January 1. The station has been out of use since 1945 and is known for its Gilded Age arches.
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New York Attorney General Letitia James, who administered the oath of office, remarked on the location in an X post, writing: “Our subways connect us all, and they represent exactly what our next mayor is fighting for: a city every New Yorker can thrive in.”
Mamdani will also host a public block party celebrating his inauguration outside of City Hall on January 1. His inaugural program, called “Inauguration of a New Era," is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, another progressive who has supported Mamdani’s campaign and local New Yorker, will be present at the inauguration. In a statement, Mamdani said he was “honored that she’ll be a part of our historic City Hall inauguration.”
For the block party, his transition team recommends people arrive outside of City Hall between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. to “secure a great spot and enjoy the music before the ceremony.” The event is free, but an online RSVP is necessary.
How To Watch Mamdani's Inauguration Online
People who want to watch Mamdani's inauguration are encouraged to register online for the link to the livestream. Several local outlets, including ABC Channel 7 NY, will also be providing live coverage of the event, available to stream.
When Was Mamdani Elected?
Mamdani has shaken up New York City politics, having won the ranked-choice Democratic primary in June, prompting former Governor Andrew Cuomo to run as an independent and Mayor Eric Adams to drop out months later. Mamdani then beat Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in November's general election.
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Where is Mamdani From?
Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1991 to Indian parents. He was a seven-year-old boy when he moved to the United States with his family. He became a U.S. citizen in 2018 and has maintained his Ugandan roots.
What We Know About Mamdani's Wife, Rama Duwaji
Rama Duwaji, 28, is a Syrian-American illustrator and animator based in Brooklyn. On her website, she says she often takes a break from technology mediums and works with hand-built ceramics. She will be the city’s first-ever Muslim First Lady, and among the youngest.
Duwaji was born in Houston, Texas, and moved to Dubai when she was 9, according to CNN. She attended college at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar before moving back to the United States to complete her degrees in Richmond and then New York.
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On her website, Duwaji says her work has appeared on the BBC, as well as in The New Yorker and Vogue. Her artwork often carries a political message, including criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza since October 7, 2023, and reflections on other crises in the Middle East.
Possibly some of her most famous works are Mamdani’s campaign logo and branding. A distinct yellow “Zohran” with a red drop shadow, set against a Democratic blue background, has become instantly recognizable to New Yorkers in recent months. In a recent profile of her, The Cut noted that the styling of the Z and the R was her idea.
She has an Instagram following of more than 1.6 million accounts.
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