Zohran Mamdani, the Mayor-Elect of New York City, has revealed the composition of his inaugural committee, a group tasked with organising his swearing-in ceremony and shaping his initial policy agenda. The list of over four dozen appointees includes several high-profile names, most notably children's social media influencer Ms. Rachel and progressive activist and actress Cynthia Nixon.
Controversial and Celebrity Appointments Draw Focus
The selection of Ms. Rachel, whose full name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, has attracted significant attention due to her vocal political stance. She is a prominent critic of Israel's military actions in Gaza, a position she shares with Mayor-Elect Mamdani. In a TikTok video from December 2024, she stated, 'Over 14,000 precious children have been un-alived in Gaza. Gaza has the largest number of child amputees in history. We can't be silent about these kinds of conditions for children.'
Her activism has drawn criticism from pro-Israel advocacy groups, who accuse her of promoting Hamas propaganda and demonstrating selective empathy by not focusing equally on Israeli victims of the conflict that began with the October 7 attacks in 2023. In April, the watchdog group StopAntisemitism called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the funding behind Accurso's social media channels.
Cynthia Nixon, famed for her role in Sex and the City, is another major addition. A member of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America alongside Mamdani, she previously challenged Andrew Cuomo for the New York governorship in 2018. Nixon is also a staunch advocate for Palestine and has repeatedly called for a ceasefire.
A Star-Studded Committee with Political Experience
The committee further boasts other notable figures from the entertainment world. Actor Kal Penn, known for the Harold & Kumar films and the series House, brings White House experience from his 2009 liaison role in the Obama administration. Fellow actor John Turturro, with credits in The Big Lebowski and Severance, will also serve on the team.
The primary function of this diverse committee is twofold: to orchestrate the inaugural celebrations and to provide Mamdani with counsel on the early direction of his policy programme.
Details of the Inauguration Day Festivities
The inaugural event itself is set to be a large, public affair. A free block party will be held on January 1 along Broadway near City Hall. While admission is free, the city requires attendees to RSVP online for both the in-person celebration and the livestream.
The city has recommended that guests arrive by 11am or midday to secure a good vantage point for the main ceremony, which commences at 1pm. The swearing-in will be conducted by two prominent figures: Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
This eclectic and politically charged committee underscores Mamdani's progressive alliances and sets the stage for his administration's priorities as he prepares to lead one of the world's most prominent cities.
