Politics
WATCH: Zohran Mamdani Trashes Individualism, Calls To Embrace ‘Warmth Of Collectivism’ In Inaugural Speech
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani vowed to govern as a socialist and bring the “warmth of collectivism” to the nation’s largest city in his inaugural address.
While flanked by leaders of the Democratic Party’s far-left faction, including Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), the inaugural ceremony kicked off with a rendition of the socialist anthem “Bread and Roses.”
Mamdani then became the first New York City mayor to be sworn in on a Quran before beginning his inaugural address, in which he vowed to usher in an era of big government. “Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed. But never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try. To those who insist that the era of big government is over, hear me when I say this: No longer will City Hall hesitate to use its power to improve New Yorkers’ lives,” he declared.
“For too long, we have turned to the private sector for greatness, while accepting mediocrity from those who serve the public. I cannot blame anyone who has come to question the role of government, whose faith in democracy has been eroded by decades of apathy. We will restore that trust by walking a different path; one where government is no longer solely the final recourse for those struggling, one where excellence is no longer the exception.”
He went on to claim that the success of the Big Apple’s private sector can be replicated by his government.
“We expect greatness from the cooks wielding a thousand spices, from those who stride out onto Broadway stages, from our starting point guard at Madison Square Garden. Let us demand the same from those who work in government. In a city where the mere names of our streets are associated with the innovation of the industries that call them home, we will make the words ‘City Hall’ synonymous with both resolve and results.”
The self-styled socialist went on to proudly declare that his administration will be an enemy of individualism. “And if for too long these communities have existed as distinct from one another, we will draw this city closer together. We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism,” the foreign-born mayor boasted.
Outlining specific policies rooted in collective action and government intervention, Mamdani proposed reforms involving New Yorkers directly in “systemic” changes. “And it will be New Yorkers who reform a long-broken property tax system. New Yorkers who will create a new Department of Community Safety that will tackle the mental health crisis and let the police focus on the job they signed up to do. New Yorkers who will take on the bad landlords who mistreat their tenants and free small business owners from the shackles of bloated bureaucracy.”
Mamdani has advanced a number of far-left policy proposals to enact his agenda, including rent freezes, government-run grocery stores, and aggressive tax hikes on businesses.
He has also vowed to “resist” the Trump Administration, particularly when it comes to immigration policy, despite having a cordial meeting with the president shortly after his November election win.
