Zohran Mamdani Promises NYC 'the Warmth of Collectivism'

WSJ Opinion: Potomac Watch

The Wall Street Journal

Society & Culture, News

4 • 2.7K Ratings

🗓️ 2 January 2026

⏱️ 28 minutes

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Summary

New York's mayor uses his inaugural address to insist he won't back away from socialism, including freezing rent and providing free buses, as he's sworn into office by Bernie Sanders. But will Mamdani be able to deliver, and at what cost? And will other Democrats follow his lead in shifting the party further to the left? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	From the opinion pages of the Wall Street Journal, this is Potomac Watch.
0:08.5	New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani is sworn into office and gives an inaugural speech that's a socialist manifesto,
0:16.0	including promising to embrace New Yorkers with the warmth of collectivism.
0:21.7	Welcome, I'm Kyle Peterson with the Wall Street Journal.
0:25.1	We're joined today by my colleague on the journal's opinion pages, Matt Contenetti,
0:29.5	who writes for the WSJ's new Free Expression newsletter.
0:34.0	Shortly after midnight on Thursday morning, 34-year-old,
0:41.3	Zoranam Dany took office as the new mayor of New York City. Opening remarks at his inaugural on the steps of City Hall were delivered by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
0:48.3	Then Mamdani was sworn in by Bernie Sanders.
0:51.3	And if that wasn't an indication enough that Mamdani does not intend to back
0:55.6	away from his socialism, he also promised to govern expansively and audaciously. Here's another line,
1:03.1	no longer will City Hall hesitate to use its powers to improve New Yorkers' lives. And then here's
1:09.9	another, when a city belongs to the people,
1:12.4	there is no need too small to be met.
1:15.8	Let's listen to a bit of Memdani's speech.
1:18.2	We will overcome the isolation that too many feel
1:21.8	and connect the people of this city to one another.
1:26.5	The cost of childcare will no longer discourage young adults from starting
1:30.3	a family because we will deliver universal childcare for the many by taxing the wealthiest few.
1:43.3	Those in rent-stabilized homes will no longer dread the latest rent hike because we will freeze the rent.
1:52.0	Getting on a bus without worrying about a fair hike or whether you'll be able to get to your destination on time will no longer be deemed a small miracle
2:02.7	because we will make those buses fast and free.
	...

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