Watch Live: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani is inaugurated, gives first address to New Yorkers

Mamdani emphasized that his administration will act boldly, and strive for excellence. 

"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," he said. 

"For too long, we have turned to the private sector for greatness, while accepting mediocrity from those who serve the public," he continued. "I cannot blame anyone who has come to question the role of government, whose faith in democracy has been eroded by decades of apathy. We will restore that trust by walking a different path, one where government is solely the final recourse for those governing, one where excellence is no longer the exception."

Mamdani posed a question as his tenure begins, asking, "Who does New York belong to?"

"For much of our history, the response from City Hall has been simple: It belongs only to the wealthy and well-connected, those who never strain to capture the attention of those in power," Mamdani said. "Working people have reckoned with the consequences."

The new mayor pointed to previous leaders who he said were "unified by a shared belief that New York could belong to more than just a privileged few."

"They know that this belief could be made few if only government dared to work hardest for those who work hardest," Mamdani said. "Over the years to come, my administration will resurrect that legacy." 

Mamdani pledged that City Hall will deliver on "safety, affordability and abundance."

"In so doing, we will provide our own answer to that age-old question: Who does New York belong to?" he said. "New York belongs to all who live in it."

Mamdani, who ran on an ambitious platform, said he won't take the advice to reset and lower expectations. 

"In writing this address, I have been told that this is the occasion to reset expectations, that I should use this opportunity to encourage the people of New York to ask for little and expect even less," Mamdani said. "I will do no such thing."

The crowd cheered. 

"The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations," he said. 

"Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously," he said. "We may not always succeed, but never will be accused of lacking the courage to try." 

The mayor said the city expects excellence from its chefs, from its Broadway performers, and should of its mayor. 

When Mamdani mentioned former New York Mayor Eric Adams and thanked him for his help, a not insignificant number of people in the crowd booed. 

The camera cut to Adams, who was listening intently to Mamdani's speech.

Mamdani acknowledged all New Yorkers, including those who opposed his bid for mayor, in his remarks, pledging that as he stands for those who voted for him, "I stand just as resolutely alongside those who did not."

"I know there are some who view this administration with distrust or disdain, or who see politics as permanently broken," Mamdani said. "And while only action can change minds, I promise you this: If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor."

Mamdani said "regardless of whether we agree, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn alongside you and never — not for a second — hide from you."

Taking to the microphone, Mamdani spoke to the thousands of New Yorkers gathered in Lower Manhattan for the ceremony. 

"My fellow New Yorkers, today begins a new era," he began. "I stand before you moved by the privilege of taking this sacred oath. Humbled by the faith that you have placed in me."

He said he's "honored to serve" as either the city's 111th or 112th mayor, referring to some confusion in the city's historical record. 

"I stand alongside you, the tens of thousands of you gathered here in lower Manhattan," he said. 

Sanders, a leading progressive figure, administered the oath of office to Mamdani. 

In remarks ahead of the swearing-in, Sanders thanked New Yorkers for electing Mamdani as mayor.

• Click here to watch his full remarks.

"I'm here mostly to thank the people of New York City. At a time in our country's history when we are seeing too much hatred, too much divisiveness and too much injustice, thank you for electing Zohran Mamdani as your mayor," Sanders said. "New York, thank you for inspiring our nation. Thank you for giving us, from coast to coast, the hope and the vision that we can create government that works for all — not just the wealthy and the few."

Sanders said in "a moment when people in America and in fact the world are losing faith in Democracy, over 90,000 of you in this city volunteered for Zohran's campaign," thanking the New Yorkers for what he called "the biggest political upset in modern American history."

"You showed the world the most important lesson that can be learned today," Sanders said. "That is that when working people stand together, when we don't let them divide us up, there is nothing we cannot accomplish."

Jumaane D. Williams was sworn in as New York City's public advocate, a role he's held since 2019. He was sworn in on his late father's Bible. 

As public advocate, Williams serves as a watchdog and ombudsman for the city. He is the first in line to become mayor if the office becomes vacant.

Williams said that in his role, he's seen a lot of darkness. 

"I look out on New York today and I see so much light," he said. 

• Click here to watch his full address.

Williams urged New Yorkers to come together. 

"I know that the project of New York is possible," he said. 

Mark Levine was the first to be sworn in at Thursday's ceremony, becoming the 52nd comptroller of New York City. Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath of office.   

"How remarkable is it that on these steps today we are swearing in our first Muslim mayor together with a Christian public advocate and a Jewish comptroller? I am proud to live in a city where this is possible," Levine said in his address. 

Levine said the city must "build an economy where we care for each other, where our prosperity is shared, where everyone has a fair shot."

He vowed to invest in affordable housing and the city's transition to green energy, assist New Yorkers facing eviction, and protect immigrants.

"Today, you have entrusted me … to safeguard the resources and the future of this entire city. I promise you — I will honor that trust every single day," Levine said.

• Click here to watch his full address.

He also released an open letter to New Yorkers outlining his priorities.

"This is not a short to-do list. But I firmly believe we can achieve these things together, and that New York City can be a more affordable, fairer, safer and prosperous city for all. I look forward to working every day, as your new comptroller, to make that a reality," he wrote.

Levine was a New York City Council member for eight years and has been Manhattan Borough President since 2022.

Actor and singer Mandy Patinkin performed "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with students from Staten Island's P.S. 22 after Imam Khalid Latif's invocation. 

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents New York's 14th Congressional District, welcomed the crowd to Mamdani's inauguration. 

"We gather here today to celebrate the beginning of his leadership," Ocasio-Cortez said. 

Ocasio-Cortez said it marks "a new era for New York City, led by a historic new mayor in Zohran Mamdani, guided by his dedication to a working class that makes our beautiful city run."

"I also ask that we consider today an inauguration for each one of us, too. The nearly 8.5 million New Yorkers who make up the greatest city on earth," she said. "Because it is the people of New York City who have chosen historic, ambitious leadership in response to untenable and unprecedented times. New York, we have chosen courage over fear."

The ceremony kicked off shortly after 1:30 p.m., a little behind schedule, as Mamdani and his wife were introduced. 

Javier Muñoz sang the National Anthem.

Mamdani joins a long history of New York City leaders inaugurated on the promise of a new era for City Hall.

Lilly Tuttle, the curator of the Museum of the City of New York, gave some insight into what Mamdani might say in his first speech and how inaugurations are often a window into the era of previous administrations. 

The Fiorello LaGuardia playbook 

In 1934, Fiorello LaGuardia skipped a formal ceremony and was sworn in privately on the Upper East Side as he embarked on his quest to lead a city in the depths of the Great Depression.

"We are going to try and demonstrate that a nonpartisan, nonpolitical, honest, clean government is possible in our city," LaGuardia said.

Mamdani's speech might mirror LaGuardia's approach in some ways, Tuttle said, since both promised to clean up corruption in City Hall.

The John Lindsay approach

Mamdani uses social media to speak directly to New Yorkers, like how LaGuardia utilized radio and how John Lindsay used television three decades later. 

A progressive Republican, Lindsay promoted social justice and civil rights. Tuttle said she predicts Mamdani will pull from the Lindsay playbook in his inaugural speech.

"That he's a mayor for all New Yorkers, and really bring the city together in a way that kind of lifts up people who feel like they just don't have great opportunities today," Tuttle said.

Lindsay's inauguration, however, was overshadowed by the worst transit strike in the city's history.

New York City mayors have a history of putting their own spin on Inauguration Day. 

Four years ago, Eric Adams held up a picture of his late mother in Times Square and was sworn in just after the ball dropped, as the city was still dealing with the COVID pandemic. 

In 1990, a record 12,000 people attended the swearing in of David Dinkins, the city's first Black mayor. Four years later, Rudy Giuliani had his son, Andrew, help with his speech on the steps of City Hall. 

Ed Koch rode an M6 bus to his own ceremony in 1978, and Ethel Merman sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at John Lindsay's inauguration back in 1966.

To read more, click here. 

The crowd inside City Hall Park is filling in. Some 4,000 ticketed guests were invited, but thousands more are able to watch from the block party just outside the grounds. 

Prior to the inauguration, Mamdani's transition team released a list of people selected to his Inaugural Committee, described as "a diverse group of New Yorkers whose creativity, leadership, and lived experience reflect the full life of the city."

The 48-member committee includes prominent names like John Turturro, Cynthia Nixon, Kal Penn, The Kid Mero, and Katia Reguero Lindor, the wife of New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor.

Click here to see the full list of Mamdani's Inaugural Committee members.

Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, arrived for the inauguration moments ago in a yellow cab. The mayor thanked the driver before the couple started walking toward City Hall.

There was speculation about whether Mamdani would live in Gracie Mansion after he told reporters he was undecided about his future residence.

Mamdani eventually confirmed he and his wife would leave their apartment in Astoria and move into the official residence of New York City's mayor. 

"This decision came down to our family's safety and the importance of dedicating all of my focus on enacting the affordability agenda New Yorkers voted for," Mamdani said in a statement on Dec. 8. 

Gracie Mansion was built in 1799 and has housed the city's mayors since the 1940s. It's located on East End Avenue and 88th Street in Manhattan's Yorkville neighborhood, overlooking the East River. 

Some 4,000 ticketed guests will attend the City Hall inauguration ceremonies. Thousands more will be able to take in the festivities at the block party. 

How to watch: Stream live coverage on CBS News New York at noon and 1 p.m.  

Inauguration ceremony: Starts at 1 p.m. on the steps of New York City Hall.

Here's a rundown of the ceremony:

• Presentation of colors and national anthem performed by Javier Muñoz
• Welcoming address by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
• Invocation by Imam Khalid Latif
• Musical performance by Mandy Patinkin and the P.S. 22 Chorus of Staten Island
• Comptroller Mark Levine is sworn in
• Poetry reading by Cornelius Eady
• Public Advocate Jumaane Williams is sworn in
• Musical performance by Lucy Dacus
• Mayor Zohran Mamdani is sworn in by Sen. Bernie Sanders and delivers his inaugural address
• Musical performance by Babbulicious

Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York City in a private midnight ceremony that was layered in symbolism. 

Mamdani took his oath on a Quran rather than a Bible at the Old City Hall subway station, setting the tone for a historic new chapter in New York City leadership.

"This is truly the honor and the privilege of a lifetime," Mamdani said as he officially became the 112th mayor. 

Mamdani said he chose to be sworn in on the historic Quran to honor the deep roots of Muslim communities in the city. 

The oath was administered by New York Attorney General Letitia James at the long-closed Old City Hall station, one of New York's original 28 subway stops, a relic of the city's earliest ambitions for public transit.

"A testament to the importance of public transit, to the vitality, the health, and the legacy of our city," Mamdani said.

Using the moment to underscore his transportation agenda, he also announced Michael Flynn as his Department of Transportation commissioner.

"Someone who's experienced, who is fluent in the landscape as it is, and who is ambitious and imaginative towards the landscape as it could be. And I can think of no better person than the man alongside me," Mamdani said.

Here's a list of key officials Mamdani has appointed to help run New York City:

• First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan
• Chief of Staff Elle Bisgaard-Church
• NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch
• FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore
• NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels
• Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn
• Deputy Mayor for Housing Leila Bozorg
• Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su
• Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Jahmila Edwards
• Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Sam Levine
• Office of Management and Budget Director Sherif Soliman

Mamdani announced the "Inauguration of a New Era" block party in the Canyon of Heroes, the stretch of Broadway in Lower Manhattan that's famous for ticker-tape parades. 

Mamdani's team anticipates tens of thousands of people will be able to attend the festivities on Broadway, from Liberty Street to Murray Street. 

The block party is accompanying the inauguration ceremony, with music, performances and interfaith elements, according to the mayor's team.

Mamdani said security will be tight at City Hall Plaza and along the block party route throughout the inauguration.  

Zohran Mamdani won the 2025 New York City mayor's race with just over 50% of the vote in the November general election. He defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo — who won about 41% of the vote as an independent — and Republican Curtis Sliwa. 

Mamdani's campaign centered around the cost of living energized a coalition of young and progressive voters, even with some critics questioning his experience and raising concerns about his views on Israel, which Cuomo's campaign zeroed in on.

Mamdani's affordability agenda, including a rent freeze and universal child care, first propelled him to victory in the Democratic primary, when he soundly defeated Cuomo for the party's nomination.