NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani First Day: Subway Rides and Israel Policy Backlash
On Jan 2, 2026, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first day featured a symbolic subway commute and a controversial reversal of Israel-related executive orders.
Handshakes were exchanged, but fists remain clenched. Less than 24 hours after his inauguration, Zohran Mamdani began his tenure on Jan. 2, 2026, by trading the mayoral motorcade for a crowded subway car.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani First Day: From Queens to City Hall
The 34-year-old democratic socialist, whose victory signaled a massive shift in the city's political landscape, set out from his modest Queens apartment on Friday morning. According to the Associated Press, Mamdani used the commute to review briefing materials and interact with skeptical tourists, signaling his intent to remain grounded in the daily reality of the millions he now represents.
A Domestic Agenda Focused on Tenants
Mamdani's first stops weren't just about optics. He visited a Brooklyn apartment building to meet with a tenant union, promising to escalate legal action against negligent landlords. He also announced the creation of a Mass Engagement Office, an initiative aimed at bringing more New Yorkers directly into the political decision-making process.
Instant Backlash Over Israel Policy Reversals
However, the new mayor's first full day wasn't without friction. In a move to provide a 'clean slate,' Mamdani revoked several executive orders issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams. This included the removal of a contentious definition of antisemitism and a ban on boycotting or divesting from Israel. The action sparked immediate condemnation from Jewish groups and the Israeli government, with some officials accusing the mayor of fueling division.
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