AOC’s power and influence is growing and its a problem for the GOP.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is set to take center stage at the inauguration of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on January 1, according to an announcement from the mayoral transition team.
Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent figure on the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, is scheduled to deliver the opening remarks—an early signal of the political direction the incoming administration intends to take. The transition team described her participation as symbolic of a broader movement focused on affordability policies and a larger role for government in everyday economic life.
A Break From Tradition at City Hall
City officials say Mamdani’s inauguration will depart sharply from past ceremonies. Traditionally, mayoral inaugurations were held for a limited number of ticketed guests near City Hall Plaza. This year, organizers plan to open the event to the general public with a large outdoor celebration along Broadway in the historic Canyon of Heroes.
According to the transition team, the event will include designated viewing areas designed to accommodate tens of thousands of attendees, framing the inauguration as a public rally rather than a conventional civic ceremony.
Progressive Alliance Takes the Spotlight
Ocasio-Cortez actively campaigned with Mamdani during the election cycle. Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, will become New York City’s first Muslim mayor when he is sworn in.
In a statement released by the transition team, Mamdani praised Ocasio-Cortez as a political partner and credited her with helping drive what he described as a grassroots movement challenging long-standing political norms in the city.
Another high-profile progressive lawmaker will also play a major role in the ceremony. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is expected to administer the oath of office, officially swearing Mamdani in as mayor.
Sanders characterized the inauguration’s subway-adjacent setting as symbolic of New York City’s diversity and shared civic experience, describing public transit as a unifying force across economic and cultural lines.
Key Figures Attend — Others Noticeably Absent
New York Attorney General Letitia James is also expected to attend the inauguration. However, the transition team made no mention of Gov. Kathy Hochul, prompting questions about the relationship between the incoming mayor and the state’s executive leadership.
A Stunning Election Upset
Mamdani’s path to City Hall surprised many political observers. He defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary in June. Cuomo later launched an independent bid, only to lose again in the general election after a heated and closely watched campaign.
The race drew national attention and underscored growing divisions within the Democratic Party, particularly between establishment figures and a rising progressive bloc.
Controversial Policy Agenda Draws Scrutiny
Throughout the campaign, Mamdani promoted an aggressive affordability platform that included proposals for free public transportation, government-funded child care, rent freezes, and increased taxes on corporations.
He also faced sustained criticism over his rhetoric on Israel, including his refusal to disavow the phrase “globalize the intifada,” a slogan many Americans and Jewish advocacy groups interpret as endorsing violence. The issue became a focal point of debate as national attention intensified on the race.
As inauguration day approaches, critics argue the event’s tone and featured speakers reflect a sharp ideological shift for America’s largest city—one that could reshape New York’s economic and political future for years to come.
