Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as mayor by his socialist political idol, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, during his public inauguration ceremony at City Hall on January 1, transition sources first confirmed to News 4.
While about 4,000 ticket holders will watch at City Hall, thousands of New York City onlookers can watch a livestream at an accompanying outdoor watch party nearby, over in the Canyon of Heroes area along Broadway.
Mamdani will officially become mayor before then, at an official swearing-in by New York State Attorney General Letitia James on New Year’s Eve at midnight.
“It is an honor to be sworn in by two leaders I have admired for years,” Mamdani said in a statement. “… I can think of no better leaders to help usher in a new era for New York City.”
It will not be Sen. Sanders’ first time swearing in a New York City mayor. Eight years ago, he officiated at the second-term inauguration of Bill de Blasio, at the beginning of 2018. Sanders didn’t back de Blasio in the Democratic primary at the time, as he did with Mamdani’s in New York City this year.
“[Mamdani’s] victory is not just about one city or one election, it is about the strength of a working class movement that says unequivocally: the future of New York belongs to the people, not the billionaire class. It is my honor to swear him in as the next mayor of New York City,” Sanders said in a statement.
Earlier this month, the 34-year-old and the 84-year-old progressive politicians joined a Starbucks picket line in Brooklyn, side by side, as workers demanded better wages and working conditions.
James has been a vocal supporter of Mamdani, having delivered remarks at his massive rally at Forest Hills Stadium in the final days of the election.
“It’s an honor to swear in Zohran alongside his family,” James said in a statement. “He ran a campaign that brought together New Yorkers around the universal idea that we should all be able to afford to live in our city. I look forward to working with him and his administration to deliver on that vision as we keep all New Yorkers safe.”
New York’s two other citywide officials, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Comptroller-elect Mark Levine will also participate in the ceremonial inauguration at City Hall.
The Mayor-Elect’s transition team has also extended an open “block party” invitation, requiring an RSVP to attend, which can be found on Mamdani’s transition website. The event will take place between Liberty Street and Murray Street, with the entrance on Liberty. Anyone who can’t attend in person can also RSVP for a link to a livestream of the festivities.
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