New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani pledged to govern as a socialist and bring what he called the “warmth of collectivism” to the nation’s largest city during his inaugural address, signaling an aggressive expansion of government power under his administration.
The ceremony opened with a rendition of the socialist anthem “Bread and Roses.”
The NYC mayor delivered his remarks while joined by leading figures from the Democratic Party’s far-left wing, including Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
Mamdani also became the first New York City mayor to be sworn in on a Quran before launching into an address promising expansive government action.
“Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously,” he declared.
“We may not always succeed.
“But never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.
“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.”
“For too long, we have turned to the private sector for greatness, while accepting mediocrity from those who serve the public.
“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 no longer solely the final recourse for those struggling, one where excellence is no longer the exception.”
Mamdani argued that excellence achieved in New York City’s private sector can and should be replicated inside government.
“We expect greatness from the cooks wielding a thousand spices, from those who stride out onto Broadway stages, from our starting point guard at Madison Square Garden,” he said.
“Let us demand the same from those who work in government.
“In a city where the mere names of our streets are associated with the innovation of the industries that call them home, we will make the words ‘City Hall’ synonymous with both resolve and results.”
The self-proclaimed socialist went further, framing his administration as a rejection of individualism.
“And if for too long these communities have existed as distinct from one another, we will draw this city closer together,” he said.
“We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.”
WATCH:
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani: "We'll replace rugged individualism with collectivism" pic.twitter.com/dhUqGm2X26
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 1, 2026
Mamdani also outlined a set of initiatives he described as systemic reforms rooted in collective action and government intervention.
“And it will be New Yorkers who reform a long-broken property tax system.
“New Yorkers who will create a new Department of Community Safety that will tackle the mental health crisis and let the police focus on the job they signed up to do.
“New Yorkers who will take on the bad landlords who mistreat their tenants and free small business owners from the shackles of bloated bureaucracy.”
Mamdani has backed a slate of far-left proposals to advance his agenda, including rent freezes, government-run grocery stores, and substantial tax increases on businesses.
He has also pledged to “resist” the Trump Administration, especially on immigration policy, despite holding what was described as a cordial meeting with the president following his November election victory.
READ MORE – Elon Musk Sounds Alarm Over Mamdani’s Radical FDNY Commissioner Pick: ‘People Will Die’
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