New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani formally began his term on January 1, 2026, delivering a symbolic inaugural address from the abandoned Old City Hall subway station, where he announced his choice for transportation commissioner and outlined his administration’s emphasis on public transit.

Speaking shortly after taking the oath of office, Mamdani described the historic station as a testament to the city’s transit legacy and framed the setting as a statement of priorities. He said the moment underscored the role public transportation plays in the city’s vitality, health, and long-term future, adding that there was no better place to introduce his first major appointment.

Mamdani named Mike Flynn, a landscape architect by training, as the new commissioner of the Department of Transportation. Flynn is expected to oversee efforts to redesign streetscapes, expand bus infrastructure, and advance transit-oriented planning across the five boroughs. The selection signals an intention to reshape how city streets are used, with a focus on public space and non-automobile transit.

The unconventional inauguration follows Mamdani’s upset victory in the 2025 mayoral election, where he secured 50.78 percent of the vote against former Governor Andrew Cuomo. His win marked a historic milestone, making him New York City’s first Muslim, South Asian, and African-born mayor.

Supporters view the underground announcement as a clear declaration that transit policy will be central to Mamdani’s governing agenda, alongside progressive priorities such as affordable housing and climate-focused initiatives. Critics, however, have raised questions about placing a nontraditional appointee at the helm of an agency responsible for managing one of the nation’s most complex transportation networks.

By choosing the Old City Hall station as the backdrop for his first major policy signal, Mamdani emphasized symbolism and message over convention. As his administration begins, attention will now turn to whether those symbols translate into effective management and measurable improvements for a city whose transportation system remains under constant strain.