Zohran Mamdani's historic NYC Mayoral swearing-in features trans icon Bernie Wagenblast

New York City ushered in a new era on 1 January as Zohran Mamdani became the city’s 112th mayor - its youngest ever and first Muslim office-holder - during a ceremony marked by an unexpected yet iconic presence: Bernie Wagenblast, the celebrated trans voice of the city’s transport system.

The inauguration featured two symbolic events. At midnight, Mamdani took a private oath in the decommissioned Old City Hall subway station, his hand resting on a Qur’an, with State Attorney General Letitia James officiating. Later, a public ceremony on the steps of City Hall saw Senator Bernie Sanders administer the oath before a cheering crowd.

Wagenblast, a pioneering trans woman whose voice resonates daily across New York’s subways, narrated the proceedings, adding a distinctive civic touch. Her involvement was widely praised as a milestone for representation and inclusivity.

In his inaugural address, Mamdani pledged bold reforms, including universal childcare, rent stabilisation, free bus fares and city-run supermarkets. “We will govern expansively and audaciously,” he declared, signalling a progressive shift in the city’s political landscape.

The day concluded with a celebratory block party along Broadway’s Canyon of Heroes, underscoring the optimism surrounding Mamdani’s historic leadership.