New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, signed a series of executive orders on his first day in office, including a sweeping measure to revoke most of the executive directives issued by former Mayor Eric Adams after he was indicted in September 2024.
Speaking at City Hall on Thursday, Mamdani said:“We speak of today as a new era. And to make that hope real, we must understand why so many New Yorkers have turned away from politics over the past months, years, and decades.”
Revoking Adams’ Executive Orders
According to The Hill, Mamdani’s executive order nullifies all directives issued by Adams after September 26, 2024—the same day a federal grand jury indicted Adams on corruption charges.
Mamdani said he took this step on his first day to ensure “a fresh start for the incoming administration and to reissue only those executive orders deemed essential for continuity of service, excellence, and values-based leadership,” according to a statement from his office.
Eric Adams became the first sitting mayor in New York City history to be indicted, accused of receiving funds from Turkey in exchange for helping facilitate the establishment of a Turkish consulate in New York. The Department of Justice ultimately dropped the case in February, early in President Donald Trump’s second term—a move that drew strong backlash from Democrats and prompted multiple resignations by prosecutors involved in the case. One prosecutor wrote that Adams appeared to have been “rewarded” for an “improper offer to assist with immigration enforcement in exchange for having his case dropped.”
Tackling New York’s Housing Crisis
Mamdani also signed three executive orders aimed at addressing New York City’s housing crisis. Two of the orders establish task forces designed to fast-track land assessments and streamline permitting processes in order to accelerate equitable housing development.
After signing the housing-related orders, Mamdani said:“We will not compromise on housing quality. If a landlord fails to responsibly manage your home, the city government will step in.”
He added:“We will ensure that all violations are resolved, and negligent landlords will be held accountable for serious and harmful threats to your safety.”
As part of his housing agenda, Mamdani appointed Sia Weaver as director of the Mayor’s Office of Tenant Protection, which will focus on safeguarding renters’ rights. He also signed an order appointing five deputy mayors, fewer than his predecessor.
A Bolder Style of Governance
In his inauguration speech, Mamdani pledged to govern the largest city in the United States as a democratic socialist, “broadly and boldly.”
“The only expectation I seek to change is the expectation of modesty,” he said. “Starting today, we will govern expansively and with courage. We may not always succeed, but we will never be accused of lacking the bravery to try.”
He added:“We will govern without shame or insecurity. I was elected as a democratic socialist, and I will govern as a democratic socialist. I will not abandon my principles out of fear of being labeled extreme.”
Addressing Antisemitism
According to Axios, Mamdani also confirmed that he will keep open the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, which was established by Adams in May.
“In our second executive order, we outlined the structure of city government—and that structure includes the continued integration of the Office to Combat Antisemitism,” Mamdani said. “This is an issue we take seriously, and it is part of the commitment we have made to New York’s Jewish community.”