• Mamdani nullifies all executive orders issued after Eric Adams’ September 2024 indictment
• New administration establishes streamlined deputy mayor structure with housing, economic justice focus
• Democratic socialist mayor vows to govern “expansively and audaciously” for working-class New Yorkers

NEW YORK, NY (TDR) — Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed multiple executive orders immediately following his inauguration Thursday, decisively reshaping New York City government by revoking predecessor Eric Adams’ directives and establishing a reorganized leadership structure. The 34-year-old democratic socialist became the city’s 112th mayor in ceremonies that drew thousands to Lower Manhattan despite freezing temperatures.

Mamdani’s opening executive order nullified all directives Eric Adams signed after Sept. 26, 2024—the date federal prosecutors indicted the former mayor on bribery and corruption charges. The sweeping revocation eliminates 16 months of late-term policy initiatives, which Mamdani characterized as “against the interests of working-class people” during a Thursday evening press conference.

Executive Orders Establish New Government Structure

The newly inaugurated mayor’s second executive order formalized five deputy mayor positions, reducing the number from Adams’ administration while creating novel roles focused on economic justice and housing. The restructured leadership reflects Mamdani’s campaign emphasis on affordability and worker protections in America’s largest city.

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Leila Bozorg assumes the deputy mayor for housing and planning role, bringing 15 years of government housing policy experience. Bozorg previously served as executive director of housing under Adams and played a crucial role negotiating the City of Yes rezoning policy with the New York City Council.

The administration created a deputy mayor for economic justice position, appointing Julie Su, former acting U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Joe Biden. Su’s portfolio addresses wage theft, labor abuses and corporate practices, representing Mamdani’s commitment to worker-centered governance.

“This focus could not come at a more critical moment. Working people across the five boroughs are being crushed by a cost-of-living crisis.”

Helen Arteaga, chief executive officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, was designated deputy mayor for health and human services. Julia Kerson, currently deputy director of infrastructure for Governor Kathy Hochul, will serve as deputy mayor for operations overseeing transportation, sanitation and emergency management agencies.

Housing Initiative Executive Orders

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Mamdani announced three additional executive orders targeting New York’s housing crisis during a Thursday evening press conference at 85 Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn, a rent-stabilized building where residents threaten rent strikes. The timing proved deliberate—New Year’s Day marks when monthly rent payments typically become due across the city.

The first housing order revitalizes the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, appointing Cea Weaver, a tenant organizer and housing advocate, as executive director. Mamdani directed the office’s inaugural action to intervene in Pinnacle Realty bankruptcy proceedings, where the landlord faces over 5,000 violations and 14,000 complaints while owing the city substantial funds.

Two task forces emerged from subsequent orders. The LIFT task force—Land Inventory Fast Track—will identify city-owned properties suitable for housing development. The SPEED task force—Streamlining Procedures to Expedite Equitable Development—targets bureaucratic barriers and permitting obstacles that inflate construction costs and delay housing projects.

Historic Inauguration Ceremony

Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator and independent democratic socialist, administered Mamdani’s public oath of office at 1 p.m. on City Hall steps. The ceremony followed a midnight swearing-in by New York Attorney General Letitia James in the decommissioned City Hall subway station, where Mamdani placed his hand on a Quran—a first for New York City mayors.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez delivered opening remarks before thousands of supporters gathered along Broadway between Barclay and Liberty streets for an inauguration block party. The transition team organized viewing areas for constituents unable to secure tickets to the 4,000-capacity ceremony.

Mamdani’s approximately 30-minute inaugural address emphasized his democratic socialist principles and rejected suggestions he might moderate campaign promises. The mayor declared his administration would demonstrate “the left can govern” while solving working-class New Yorkers’ struggles with affordability and economic inequality.

Distancing From Adams Administration

The executive order revoking Adams’ post-indictment directives represents Mamdani’s most dramatic break from his predecessor. City agencies now review which programs or initiatives may face elimination or alteration under the blanket revocation, though Mamdani indicated he would preserve certain functions including the Office to Combat Antisemitism through a separate directive.

Adams signed executive orders in his final weeks attempting to constrain Mamdani’s agenda, including prohibitions on city officials participating in Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions efforts targeting Israel. Mamdani previously stated the outgoing mayor remained “free to issue as many executive orders as he’d like” before leaving office, promising comprehensive review of all late-term directives.

The Sept. 26, 2024 cutoff date holds symbolic significance as federal prosecutors unsealed indictments alleging Adams accepted illegal foreign campaign contributions, engaged in wire fraud and accepted bribes from Turkish officials. Adams pleaded not guilty to all charges, which were ultimately dismissed in April 2025 after the Justice Department argued they interfered with immigration enforcement priorities.

Administration Composition and Priorities

Mamdani retained several Adams administration officials while appointing progressive allies to key positions. Dean Fuleihan, 74, returns as first deputy mayor after serving in the same role under former Mayor Bill de Blasio. His institutional knowledge provides experience counterbalancing concerns about Mamdani’s relative youth.

The mayor named Sherif Soliman budget director, overseeing the city’s $115 billion spending plan. Soliman previously led the Mayor’s Office of Policy and Planning under Adams and served in administrations of the past three mayors, bringing budget expertise to progressive policy implementation.

Kamar Samuels, a veteran educator who rose from Bronx elementary school teacher to Manhattan superintendent, was appointed schools chancellor hours before inauguration. Mamdani reversed his campaign position on ending mayoral control of New York City public schools, the nation’s largest system.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch remains in her position despite earlier controversy when her brother allegedly called Mamdani “an enemy” of Jewish people at a private event. Mamdani indicated Tisch apologized, stating his focus centers on “delivering public safety” rather than family member statements.

Political Context and National Implications

Mamdani’s November victory with 50.4% of votes defeated independent candidate former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. The democratic socialist assemblyman’s win represents the progressive movement’s most prominent electoral success, drawing national attention as Republicans position him as a foil in upcoming 2026 midterm elections.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer attended the inauguration despite never formally endorsing Mamdani during the mayoral campaign. The ceremony featured former mayors Bill de Blasio and Adams seated alongside Schumer, creating symbolic imagery of municipal political continuity amid ideological shifts.

National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Mike Marinella issued a statement framing Mamdani as evidence of Democratic Party failures, asserting “every time Mamdani opens his mouth or swipes his pen, he tattoos the Democrat Party’s failures onto every House Democrat facing voters in 2026.” The positioning suggests Republicans intend to nationalize Mamdani’s policies during congressional campaigns.

Mamdani raised $2.6 million for transition and inauguration celebrations from nearly 30,000 contributors—more than any other mayor on record this century by both total amount and individual donations, according to official Campaign Finance Board records. The grassroots fundraising success mirrors his campaign’s volunteer operation, which mobilized an estimated 100,000 door-knockers across five boroughs.

Policy Implementation Timeline

The new administration faces immediate challenges implementing ambitious campaign promises including rent freezes, universal childcare and fare-free public transit. Mamdani’s inaugural address acknowledged potential failures while emphasizing the importance of attempting transformative change for working families.

The mayor’s housing task forces must deliver recommendations while navigating complex real estate development regulations and property owner resistance. The LIFT and SPEED initiatives operate under oversight of the deputy mayor for housing and planning, with accountability for producing actionable proposals within specified timeframes.

Adams attempted last-minute obstruction of Mamdani’s rent freeze agenda by appointing four members to the Rent Guidelines Board—two new appointments and two reappointments of members who previously voted for rent increases. Mamdani expressed confidence the board would “assess the landscape of tenants for rent-stabilized units across this city and find they’re in dire need of relief.”

Can a democratic socialist mayor successfully govern America’s largest city while maintaining progressive principles under national political scrutiny?

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