Zohran Mamdani, New York City's newly inaugurated mayor, wasted no time in implementing his political vision, issuing a flurry of executive orders on his very first day in office. The 34-year-old, who vowed to 'govern as a democratic socialist' during his swearing-in, immediately moved to reshape city policy, focusing heavily on housing and making a clean break from the administration of his indicted predecessor, Eric Adams.
A Swift Start: Reversing Adams and Protecting Tenants
Following a lavish inauguration block party in Manhattan, Mayor Mamdani headed to Brooklyn to sign his initial orders. In one of his most significant acts, he issued a sweeping executive order revoking nearly all directives signed by former Mayor Eric Adams after September 26, 2024. This was the date Adams was indicted by a federal grand jury on corruption charges, a scandal that Mamdani suggested had caused many New Yorkers to lose faith in politics.
Mamdani clarified that many revocations were symbolic, with orders like one maintaining the city's Office to Combat Antisemitism slated for reissue. His focus then turned squarely to housing, a central pillar of his campaign where he promised a rent freeze. He revived the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants, appointing progressive housing activist Cea Weaver to lead it. He also announced the creation of new task forces designed to aid tenants and pledged city action in a bankruptcy case against major landlord Pinnacle.
Inauguration Tone: A 'New Era' with Audacious Promises
Striking a more conciliatory tone than his fiery election-night speech, Mamdani used his inauguration to declare a 'new era' for New York City. He was sworn in under the watch of socialist Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a Brooklyn native, with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also in attendance. Mamdani, the city's first Muslim mayor, directly addressed voters who supported Donald Trump in the presidential election but backed him for mayor, acknowledging their economic anxieties.
'Many of these people have been betrayed by the established order. But in our administration, their needs will be met,' he assured. His policy promises were expansive, centring on taxing the wealthy to fund social programmes. He vowed to tackle the 'long-broken property tax system', enact a millionaire tax, and use the revenue to provide universal childcare and free buses across the five boroughs.
Political Implications and Future Challenges
Mamdani's rapid start and unapologetically left-wing agenda have ignited debate about the future direction of urban governance in the United States. His November 2025 meeting with President Donald Trump, who praised the new mayor, added a layer of complex political theatre. However, critics warn that his proposed tax hikes on the ultra-wealthy could risk driving out the tax base that funds essential public services in New York.
With his wife, 28-year-old Rama Duwaji, now the city's youngest-ever first lady, Mamdani represents a generational shift. His first day actions demonstrate a clear intent to follow through on campaign rhetoric, setting the stage for a contentious and closely watched tenure focused on economic redistribution and tenant protection.
