Zohran Mamdani's First Week: A Fresh Face in NYC Politics

A Day in the Life of the New Mayor

New York City's newest mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is wasting no time making his mark. Just two days into his term, he's already tackling big issues like housing and public transit.

Connecting with Commuters

On Friday, Mamdani chose to connect with everyday New Yorkers by hopping on the W train, chatting with commuters, and even attempting to use his phone to pay his fare—though that didn't go as smoothly as he'd hoped.

• Started the day with an iced coffee and a smile.
• Joked around, took selfies, and fielded questions about his future living arrangements.
• Hinted that his move to Gracie Mansion was just around the corner.

Addressing Public Transit

Mamdani also addressed the upcoming fare hike to $3, something he opposed during his campaign. He made it clear that he believes public transit should be affordable for all New Yorkers.

• Pointed to his past efforts in the state legislature to freeze fares.
• Emphasized the need for faster, free buses across the city.

Executive Orders and Housing Crisis

The day before, Mamdani had already made waves by signing five executive orders.

1. Three orders aimed at tackling the city's housing crisis.
2. Revoked all executive orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams the day after Adams' federal indictment.
3. Reduced the number of deputy mayors, but kept the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism intact.

Reviving Tenant Protections

Mamdani also revived the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants, a move designed to:

• Defend tenants' rights.
• Ensure city agencies act swiftly to address unsafe or illegal living conditions.

Accelerating Housing Development

Additionally, he established task forces to accelerate housing development, showing his commitment to making a difference in the city's housing landscape.