Zohran Mamdani’s first 10 days as New York City mayor emphasized action over alarmism. He created two housing taskforces, launched tenant "rental ripoff" hearings, and issued a 45‑day order to bring homeless shelters up to code while ordering jail reforms including steps to end solitary confinement. Mamdani also partnered with Governor Kathy Hochul on a plan for free childcare for two‑year‑olds and combined big policy moves with hands‑on repairs like smoothing the Williamsburg Bridge ramp.
Mamdani’s First 10 Days: Delivering Promises, Defying Right‑Wing Alarmism
Zohran Mamdani announcing expansions for free and affordable childcare programs in New York City and across the state, in New York City on 8 January.Photograph: Jason Alpert-Wisnia/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images
Zohran Mamdani's opening days as New York City's mayor have focused less on the dystopian warnings issued by some right‑wing commentators and more on tangible action: advancing housing, tenant protections, jail and shelter reforms, and even small but visible street‑level repairs.
Quick Moves On Housing And Tenants
On his first day in office the 34‑year‑old mayor created two taskforces to accelerate housing development: one to review city‑owned land for suitability for new construction, and another to identify and remove bureaucratic and permitting barriers that slow building. He also launched a high‑profile series of "rental ripoff" hearings to allow tenants to testify about poor living conditions and to strengthen enforcement against negligent landlords.
Shelters, Jails And Human Rights
Later that week Mamdani issued an executive order giving city officials 45 days to bring homeless shelters into compliance with health and safety codes. He also directed officials to produce a plan to improve conditions in New York's jails, including steps toward ending solitary confinement — signaling that accountability and humane treatment are early priorities for his administration.
Child Care Collaboration
In a notable bipartisan move — and a rebuke to critics who predicted gridlock with Albany — Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul jointly unveiled a plan to provide free childcare for two‑year‑olds in New York City. Progressive groups hailed the announcement as a major win for parents and families; polls indicate broad voter support for expanded childcare and for funding it via higher taxes on the wealthy.
Hands‑On Fixes
Alongside policy initiatives, Mamdani has shown hands‑on problem solving. Cyclists who daily cross the Williamsburg Bridge have long navigated a jarring dip at the Manhattan exit. After repeated appeals, Mamdani appeared at the site with a spade and a crew from the Department of Transportation and had the ramp smoothed into a gentler incline — a small repair with outsized public impact.
Political Backlash And Larger Issues
Right‑leaning outlets such as Fox News and the New York Post criticized various moves, framing tenant protections and childcare as costly or partisan. Mamdani also drew conservative ire for calling any US operation to seize Venezuela's president "an act of war and a violation of federal and international law," and for publicly condemning the ICE killing of Renee Nicole Good. Despite the pushback, many of the mayor's early actions reflect campaign commitments he campaigned on and voters expected.
Bottom line: Mamdani's opening days married large policy initiatives—housing taskforces, shelter and jail reforms, free childcare plans—with concrete, visible fixes that emphasize both governance and accountability.
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