I’ve lived through a lot of New York “moments,” but waking up on January 2, 2026, feels different. There’s a specific kind of electricity in the air that usually only happens right after a blizzard or a massive parade. But this time, it’s political. Yesterday, while most of us were nursing New Year’s hangovers, Zohran Mamdani was busy dismantling the status quo.
As I watched the clips of his inauguration, I couldn’t help but feel that the “old” New York just took a back seat. We officially have our first Muslim mayor, our first South Asian mayor, and—as a millennial myself, I have to say it—our first millennial mayor. At 34, Mamdani isn’t just leading the city; he’s representing a total generational hijack of City Hall.
The Midnight Oath in the Underground – Zohran Mamdani
If there was ever a “main character” move to start a mayoralty, it was Mamdani’s choice of venue. Most mayors opt for the grand steps of City Hall. Not Zohran. He headed underground.
Just after midnight on January 1st, I saw the first grainy photos emerge from the Old City Hall subway station. If you haven’t seen it, it’s this abandoned, beautiful beaux-arts station that usually feels like a ghost story. There, surrounded by his family and wife, Rama Duwaji, he took the oath of office.
He swore in on two Qur’ans—his grandfather’s and a historic 18th-century version on loan from the New York Public Library. Seeing him stand there, in a station that represents the literal foundation of the city’s working class, felt incredibly symbolic. To me, it sent a message: I’m not looking down from a balcony; I’m starting from the ground up.
Day One: The “Adams Era” Erasure
What really caught my eye, though, wasn’t just the ceremony; it was the immediate “Day 1” action. Mamdani didn’t wait for the confetti to be swept up to start swinging. By yesterday afternoon, he had already signed executive orders that essentially hit “delete” on the final months of the Eric Adams administration.
The most controversial move? He revoked every executive order signed after September 26, 2024—the date Adams was federally indicted. This included specific, highly debated orders regarding the definition of antisemitism and policies surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
I know some of my neighbors are nervous about this. There’s a lot of talk about whether this “fresh start” is a move toward free speech or a dangerous pivot. But from where I’m sitting, it’s a clear signal: the Mamdani administration is going to be “audacious,” a word he used in his speech that I think we’re going to hear a lot in 2026.
Why This Feels Personal to Me
As I walk through my neighborhood today, I see people talking about his “Affordability Agenda.” He’s promising rent freezes and city-run grocery stores. To a lot of us who have watched our favorite coffee shops and bodegas disappear over the last two years, these aren’t just policy points—they’re survival.
I’m also keeping a close eye on his new appointments. He’s brought in Cea Weaver, a legendary housing advocate, to run the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants. That is a massive shift. It tells me that the “luxury condo” era of NYC might finally be facing some real pushback.
What to Watch for This Week
The “Canyon of Heroes” ticker-tape parade energy is still high, but the real work starts now. Here’s what I’m tracking as we head into the first full week of the Mamdani era:
- The “Department of Community Safety”: He wants to rethink policing from the ground up. This will likely be his biggest fight with the state and federal government.
- The MTA Overhaul: Appointing Mike Flynn as Transportation Commissioner suggests he’s serious about making the subway “the envy of the world” again.
- The “1/1/1” Numerology: I saw a report today that 1/1/26 (1+1+2+6 = 10, 1+0=1) is a rare “triple-one” date in numerology, signaling a new nine-year cycle. Whether you believe in that or not, the vibe in the city definitely feels like a page has turned.
Change is coming!
Whether you’re a fan of his democratic socialist roots or you’re skeptical of such a young leader taking the reins of the world’s most complex city, you can’t deny that Zohran Mamdani has successfully changed the conversation.
New York is a city that thrives on reinvention. We’ve had the “tough on crime” years, the “billionaire mayor” years, and the “swagger” years. Now? We’re entering the “expansiveness” years. I don’t know if he’ll succeed in making the city affordable again, but for the first time in a long time, it feels like City Hall is actually listening to the rhythm of the streets.
What do you think of the new Mayor’s first 24 hours? Are you excited about the “Subway Mayor” or worried about the radical shift? Drop a comment below!
