Zohran Mamdani's First Week: A Fresh Face in NYC Politics

New York City's newest mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is wasting no time making his mark. Just two days into his term, he's already tackling big issues like housing and public transit. On Friday, he chose to connect with everyday New Yorkers by hopping on the W train, chatting with commuters, and even attempting to use his phone to pay his fare—though that didn't go as smoothly as he'd hoped. Mamdani's day started with a bang as he greeted riders with an iced coffee in one hand and a smile on his face. He joked around, took selfies, and even fielded questions about his future living arrangements. When asked how long he'd be commuting from Queens, he hinted that his move to Gracie Mansion was just around the corner.But it wasn't all fun and games. Mamdani also addressed the upcoming fare hike to $3, something he opposed during his campaign. He made it clear that he believes public transit should be affordable for all New Yorkers. He even pointed to his past efforts in the state legislature to freeze fares, emphasizing the need for faster, free buses across the city. The day before, Mamdani had already made waves by signing five executive orders. Three of these were aimed at tackling the city's housing crisis. He revoked all executive orders issued by former Mayor Eric Adams the day after Adams' federal indictment and reduced the number of deputy mayors. However, he kept the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism intact. Mamdani also revived the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants, a move designed to defend tenants' rights and ensure city agencies act swiftly to address unsafe or illegal living conditions. Additionally, he established task forces to accelerate housing development, showing his commitment to making a difference in the city's housing landscape.