Sen. Bernie Sanders administered the oath to Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s mayor, notably without the handmade mittens that sparked a viral meme in 2021. Mamdani declared himself a "democratic socialist" and promised policies including rent freezes for stabilized units, universal childcare, free buses and higher taxes on the wealthy. Sanders praised Mamdani’s campaign as a rebuke of political establishments and defended proposals critics called "radical." The ceremony featured a performance of "Bread and Roses" and concluded shortly after 2:40 p.m.
Bernie Sanders Ditches Viral Mittens While Administering Oath To NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and his wife, Jane Sanders, attend New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's inauguration ceremony at City Hall Thursday in New York.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., presided over the swearing-in of Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s mayor at City Hall on Thursday, appearing without the now-famous handmade mittens that made him an internet sensation during President Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration.
Mamdani, who described himself in his inaugural address as a "democratic socialist," vowed to "govern as a democratic socialist," laying out an ambitious municipal agenda that includes freezing rents for rent-stabilized apartments, expanding universal childcare, making city bus service free and raising taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers.
Before administering the oath shortly after 2:40 p.m., Sanders delivered an extended endorsement of Mamdani’s campaign, framing the victory as a rejection of entrenched political interests. Sanders praised volunteers who, he said, "took on the Democratic establishment, the Republican establishment, the president of the United States and some enormously wealthy oligarchs." The crowd responded with chants of "Zohran" as the oath concluded.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, left; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.; and Jane and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., attend the inauguration of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani Thursday outside City Hall.
During the ceremony, singer Lucy Dacus performed the labor anthem "Bread and Roses," while Sanders — seated cross-legged in the audience at one point — was noted for wearing standard winter gloves, a blue beanie and a puffy green coat rather than the brown chevron mittens that made him a pop-culture figure in 2021.
The mittens were knit by Vermont teacher Jen Ellis; their viral fame helped generate roughly $2 million for Vermont charities through mitten-themed fundraisers in the years following the inauguration.
What Sanders Said About Policy
Sanders defended proposals Mamdani’s critics have labeled "radical," arguing that measures such as affordable housing, universal childcare, free public transit and higher taxes on the wealthy are reasonable and necessary in "the richest country in the history of the world."
Looking Ahead
Mamdani told supporters his administration would "govern expansively and audaciously," signaling a progressive municipal agenda that will face practical and political tests in New York’s complex governance environment.
"I was elected as a democratic socialist, and I will govern as a democratic socialist," Mamdani said in his inaugural remarks.
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