Mamdani promises to keep socialist views as new NYC mayor

New York City’s newly inaugurated mayor,34-year-old Zohran Mamdani,pledged to govern as a “democratic socialist” and expand the role of City Hall in his New Year’s Day inaugural address. Speaking outside City Hall alongside progressive figures including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, mamdani called for “safety, affordability, abundance” and said his management will “govern expansively and audaciously.”

His campaign promises – now central to his agenda – include freezing rent increases, free citywide buses, global no-cost childcare, and raising the city minimum wage to $30 by 2030. Mamdani said he plans to fund these programs by increasing taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and businesses, though he cannot unilaterally raise taxes and will need cooperation from lawmakers. Republicans have criticized the push to grow government,setting up political friction as his administration moves to implement its agenda.


Mamdani vows to govern as ‘democratic socialist’ and embrace big government

The newly inaugurated mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, promised during his first address to residents on New Year’s Day that he would stick to his “democratic socialist” ideals as he leads the country’s largest city.

Mamdani, a 34-year-old former state representative and rapper, vowed in his inaugural speech in Manhattan on Thursday afternoon to embrace big government and follow through on his promises to roll out free programs to the city’s 8.5 million residents.

“I was elected as a democratic socialist, and I will govern as a democratic socialist,” Mamdani said outside City Hall.

Mamdani shared the stage with fellow self-identifying democratic socialists Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and called for “safety, affordability, abundance,” which have been pillars of the Democratic Party’s push for more housing.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani reacts after speaking during his inauguration ceremony, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

To ensure that these tenets affect New Yorkers, Mamdani will likely have to rely on and expand the city’s government, further growing it, an idea that Republicans oppose.

“Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed, but never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try,” Mamdani told the crowd. “To those who insist that the era of big government is over, hear me when I say this: No longer will City Hall hesitate to use its power to improve New Yorkers’ lives.”

Mamdani was elected in November following an expansive campaign that was filled with promises appealing to lower- and some middle-class residents.

Those campaign promises included freezing rent increases, free citywide buses, universal no-cost child care, and raising the minimum wage to $30 by 2030.

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Mandani said he will fund those changes by increasing the taxes that the wealthiest New Yorkers and businesses pay the city.

The new mayor himself does not have the legal authority to raise taxes. Such a move would have to be carried out by lawmakers, adding more pressure on his administration to get things moving behind the scenes.


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