Zohran Mamdani begins to crack his socialist whip as he begins term
by STEPHEN M. LEPORE, US SENIOR REPORTER · Mail OnlineZohran Mamdani unleashed a series of executive orders on his first day in office after announcing that he planned to 'govern as a democratic socialist' at his inauguration.
The new mayor headed straight for Brooklyn after his lavish 'block party' in Manhattan to issue several executive orders and announcing plans in support of tenants' rights following a campaign where he promised to freeze rents.
He announced the creation of task forces to help protect tenants, as well as two that sought to make development projects easier in the city.
Mamdani also issued executive orders relating to housing, reviving the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants and making Cea Weaver, a progressive 'housing justice' activist, as its leader.
The mayor also announced city action in a bankruptcy case against landlord Pinnacle.
In an immediate break with his predecessor, one of Mamdani's first moves was to issue a sweeping order canceling out most of the EOs former Mayor Eric Adams made following his September 2024 indictment.
'We speak about this day as a new era. And in order to fulfill that hope, we have to reckon with why so many New Yorkers have turned away from politics over the last few months, the last few years, the last few decades,' the 34-year-old said.
'That was a date that marked a moment when many New Yorkers decided politics held nothing for them.'
The move revoked every order given by Adams after September 26, 2024, when the former Democrat was indicted by a federal grand jury following a wide-ranging corruption investigation that has seen several top officials resign.
Mamdani said many of the revocations were symbolic and would be reissued, including one maintaining the city's Office to Combat Antisemitism.
The city's first Muslim mayor, he has been seen with skepticism by some Jewish New Yorkers over his ardent support of the Palestinian cause.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the mayor for comment.
At his inauguration, Mamdani made it clear that he would not be moderating his left-wing views as he took office.
'I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist,' he said.
'The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations. Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously.'
Socialist Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders - a Brooklyn native - was there to oversee the swearing in of Mamdani, while fellow lefty Queens politician Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was also in attendance.
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Will Mamdani's bold socialist policies revive New York City or risk driving out its wealthy base?
'This is a government of New York, by New York, and for New York,' Mamdani promised.
Mamdani is New York City's first Muslim mayor and one of the youngest men ever to occupy the position. His wife, Rama Duwaji, 28, is the city's youngest ever first lady.
Duwaji has kept a low profile during Mamdani's campaign but showed her support during his inauguration, walking side-by-side with her husband and tearing up while he spoke.
Mamdani struck a more positive tone at his inauguration than in his fiery acceptance speech in November.
The democratic socialist didn't mince words when beating his opponent, former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, telling his supporters on Election Night that it would be the last time he'd utter the man's name.
Mamdani had concluded his speech with a direct message to President Donald Trump: 'I have four words for you: Turn the volume up.'
The mayor opted for a softer tone in his inauguration remarks, referring to the president only once.
He reached out to voters who backed Donald Trump in the presidential election and him in the mayoral election, saying he understood that the rocketing cost of living was their primary concern.
'Many of these people have been betrayed by the established order. But in our administration, their needs will be met,' Mamdani said.
'Their hopes and dreams and interests will be reflected transparently in government. They will shape our future.'
Mamdani , who was born in Uganda, has promised to offer free daycare and free buses across the city.
He also plans to enact a millionaire tax, with critics warning that his policies could drive out the super-rich, whose taxes fund public services in the Big Apple.
Mamdani referred to the 'long-broken property tax system' in his speech, vowing to increase taxes on the ultra-wealthy.
'The cost of child care will no longer discourage young adults from starting a family, because we will deliver universal child care for the many by taxing the wealthiest few,' he declared.
Mamdani seemed to take a page out of Sanders' book, echoing the veteran senator's longtime vows to tax the wealthy to provide social services for the middle class.
The theme of embarking on a 'new era' was reiterated throughout Thursday's speeches.
Mamdani's campaign sparked widespread conversation about the future of the Democratic Party and whether younger politicians would continue to embrace socialist policies.