New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is scheduled to take office on January 1, 2026, with two separate swearing-in moments planned involving prominent national and state political figures, according to multiple reports. New York Attorney General Letitia James will administer the official oath of office at midnight on New Year’s Day, while Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont will preside over a public swearing-in ceremony later that afternoon. The dual events underscore the significance of the transition for the nation’s largest city, where leadership changes often carry implications beyond local governance.
CBS News reports that James will deliver the formal oath at the start of the new year, while Sanders will administer the oath again during a public ceremony scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on January 1. In a statement, James said, “It’s an honor to swear in Zohan alongside his family. He ran a campaign that brought together New Yorkers around the universal idea that we should all be able 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.” Her remarks point to a working relationship between the incoming mayor and the state’s top law enforcement official, a dynamic that can influence how city and state priorities align on public safety, legal enforcement, and administrative oversight.
Sanders, who identifies as an independent but caucuses with Democrats, also released a statement praising Mamdani’s political rise. He described Mamdani as representing “a new generation of progressive leadership rooted in courage, integrity and solidarity,” and said it was his “honor to swear him in as the next mayor” of New York City. The involvement of Sanders highlights the ideological profile of the incoming administration and signals the national attention surrounding the transition at City Hall.
Mamdani won the November mayoral election after defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. His victory followed a closely watched campaign that drew interest from voters across the city’s diverse boroughs. According to NBC News 4 New York, Mamdani said it was “an honor” to be sworn in by James and Sanders, whom he described as “two leaders” he has admired for several years. His comments reflect the political alliances shaping the early stages of his administration.
The transition period comes as New York City continues to face ongoing challenges related to public safety, housing costs, infrastructure, and fiscal management. Mayoral leadership plays a central role in overseeing a municipal budget larger than that of many states, as well as managing one of the country’s largest police departments and public service workforces. The ceremonial choices surrounding the inauguration offer early insight into how the new mayor intends to position his administration within broader state and national policy conversations.
According to Mamdani’s transition website, members of the public are invited to RSVP for what is described as the “first ever inauguration block party.” The event is expected to serve as a public-facing component of the transition, emphasizing accessibility and civic engagement as the new administration prepares to take office at the start of 2026.
