New York City Mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani has announced some members of his transitional team, saying that he’ll announce leaders overseeing his agenda “in the coming days.”
He noted that these people will be united by a commitment to “solving old problems with new solutions.”
Mamdani made these remarks as he spoke in first news conference as Mayor-elect.
“Last night, we made history. I’m so proud to be standing here today as the Mayor-elect of the greatest city in the world.
“The poetry of campaigning may have come to a close last night but the beautiful prose of governing has only just begun.”
Zohran Mamdani
Mamdani said that in the coming months, he “will build a city hall capable of delivering” his campaign’s promises of integrity and compassionate government. He stated that when he is inaugurated on 1 January 2026, it will mark “a new era for our city – one that we all feel invested in.”
Mamdani commented on federal ICE agents carrying out immigration raids in New York at the behest of the Trump administration, saying that his message “to ICE agents and everyone across this city” is that “everyone will be held to the same standard of the law.”
Mamdani asserted that he pledged in his speech last night that his City Hall “will stand steadfast with Jewish New Yorkers in fighting the scourge of antisemitism.”
He said that he looks forward to working with Jewish leaders across the city – be they elected officials, rabbis, or community leaders.
With these leaders, Mamdani, who is Muslim, said that he will “deliver on the promise of not just protecting Jewish New Yorkers but celebrating and cherishing them.”
Additionally, Mamdani asserted that New York is facing “twin crises this moment – an authoritarian administration and an affordability crisis.”
“And it will be my job to deliver on both. It will be my job to stand up for the city and also to ensure that we do not look at Washington DC as if it is the reason for all of the problems right here in New York City.”
Zohran Mamdani
He noted that some of New York’s problems predate the Trump administration and said that he will be looking to the all-women transition team he has named today to help deliver results.
Mamdani Interested In Conversation With Trump
Moreover, Mamdani disclosed that the White House hasn’t reached out to congratulate him on his win. Nonetheless, he said that he’s still interested in having a conversation with President Donald Trump – whether that’s about “delivering on his [Trump’s] campaign promises around cost of living,” or the issues New Yorkers have been sharing with him about the impacts of Trump’s policies.
Mamdani stressed that the recent impact on federal food assistance, SNAP benefits, is not just affecting New Yorkers who rely on the programme, which is currently facing funding cuts due to the government shutdown, but also impacts prices at grocery stores across the city.
“So I look forward to having those conversations, and to making clear that if there is ever anything to be spoken about that could benefit the people of this city, I am ready and willing to speak to anyone about it.”
Zohran Mamdani
The Mayor-elect said that he won’t mince his words when it comes to Donald Trump, stating that he’ll keep describing Trump’s actions as they are, but will always do so “while leaving a door open to have that conversation,” because “it cannot be understood as if it is an argument between two individuals.”
READ ALSO: October Inflation Falls to 8% – Boon for Consumers, Signal of Policy Success
