Less than a day after celebrating his historic inauguration before cheering crowds in Manhattan, Zohran Mamdani began his first full workday as mayor in a way familiar to many New Yorkers: heading to the subway from a small apartment.
Wrapped up against the cold and appearing slightly under the weather, the 34-year-old left the one-bedroom Queens apartment he shares with his wife on Friday morning. Unlike most commuters, his journey was closely followed by photographers and videographers, and frequently paused as neighbors stopped to wish him well.
The democratic socialist, whose election was widely seen as a major breakthrough for progressives, now faces the realities of leading the nation’s largest city — issuing executive orders, naming officials, responding to reporters, and defending decisions made within his first hours in office.
His morning commute carried clear symbolism.
Surrounded by security and a few aides on the train into Manhattan, Mamdani posed for selfies with surprised riders before settling into a corner seat to review briefing notes. When two puzzled French tourists asked who he was, he introduced himself as New York’s new mayor. To convince them, he pointed to a copy of the New York Daily News featuring his photo on the front page.
Mamdani joins a line of New York mayors who have used public transportation to project accessibility. Former Mayor Eric Adams did the same on his first day, as did Bill de Blasio and Michael Bloomberg during their tenures.
Photos of Mamdani riding the subway quickly spread across social media after he arrived at City Hall. The move appeared to reinforce a promise from his inaugural address that his administration would reflect the lives of everyday New Yorkers.
His early actions continued that theme. After campaigning heavily on lowering housing costs, Mamdani went straight from Thursday’s inauguration to a Brooklyn apartment building, where he pledged to intensify a legal battle against what tenants allege is a negligent landlord, drawing loud support from residents.
Another early decision highlighted the heightened scrutiny surrounding his administration, especially over his views on Israel and support for Palestinians.
Seeking what he described as a fresh start, Mamdani rescinded several executive orders issued by his predecessor late in office, including two related to Israel — one adopting a controversial definition of antisemitism that includes certain criticism of Israel, and another prohibiting city agencies from boycotting or divesting from the country.
The move sparked immediate criticism from some Jewish organizations, as well as sharp comments from Israeli officials on social media.
Asked about the decision Friday, Mamdani read from prepared remarks, vowing that his administration would aggressively fight hate and division. He emphasized that the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism would remain in place.
He also announced plans to establish a new “mass engagement” office aimed at continuing his campaign’s efforts to involve more residents in city politics.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters and onlookers packed several rows deep, phones raised to capture the moment, Mamdani reflected on the expectations surrounding his leadership.
“New Yorkers are allowing themselves to believe in city government again,” he said. “That belief won’t last without real action.”
Still ahead for the new mayor: moving into the official mayoral residence on Manhattan’s Upper East Side before his Queens lease expires later this month.