UPDATE: New York City Mayor Eric Adams has confirmed he will attend the inauguration of incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani on January 1, 2024, signaling a commitment to a smooth transition despite their significant political differences. This announcement comes just hours after the two mayors discussed the importance of the event, aiming to quell speculation about Adams’ participation.
Mamdani’s inauguration will feature a private ceremony at the historic City Hall subway stop shortly after the current mayor drops the New Year’s ball in Times Square at midnight, followed by a public event in the afternoon. Adams emphasized the need for a peaceful transfer of power, stating, “He made it clear that he would like for me to attend, and I would like to be there. We both know how important that is.”
This decision follows a tumultuous campaign season where Mamdani, a self-identified democratic socialist, criticized Adams’ administration on key issues like housing costs, policing, and City Hall integrity. Adams, who withdrew from the Democratic primary to run as an independent, dismissed Mamdani’s progressive agenda—promising rent freezes and free bus services—as “snake oil.”
Tensions have escalated further as Adams recently designated the contentious Elizabeth Street Garden as a city park, hindering Mamdani’s commitment to develop hundreds of new housing units on the site. Additionally, Adams announced plans to appoint four members to the Rent Guidelines Board, crucial to Mamdani’s rent-freeze initiative, leading to speculation about whether Adams would attend the inauguration at all.
On Tuesday, Adams sought to clarify the situation, sharing that Mamdani assured him his presence would be welcomed. “He said it would be good to see you there,” Adams recounted, highlighting a moment of potential reconciliation amid their stark policy disagreements.
As the city prepares for the inauguration, all eyes will be on the interactions between the outgoing and incoming mayors, a reflection of the political landscape in New York City and the broader implications of their contrasting visions for the future.
Stay tuned for live updates as this story develops.
