New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani joined Bill Ritter for an exclusive interview on Up Close on Sunday following his historic win in the November general election.
The 34-year-old state assemblyman will become the youngest New York mayor in more than a century on January 1, 2026. He will also be the first Muslim mayor of New York City.
It will be a lot of firsts for the mayor-elect, who enters Gracie Mansion with an incredibly ambitious agenda focused on affordability for New Yorkers.
During their interview, the two discussed many topics, including what the mayor-elect envisions during this transition period.
“Oftentimes, transition times are pageantry. They are the moments you announce all of the people, you know, you owe favors to, this, that and the other,” Mamdani said. “We want this to be a moment where we are actually preparing and actually preparing ourselves for January 1.”
The mayor-elect discuses his position on international law and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
And while the mayor-elect’s transition team is in place, a bigger question remains: Will Jessica Tisch stay on as NYPD Commissioner?
“I met with Commissioner Tisch just this past week and continue to be confident in the necessity of us delivering on this agenda and more,” the mayor-elect said.
Mamdani revealed for the first time on Sunday morning that he sat down with the current commissioner late this past week.
“The conversation was more about what it can look like to deliver public safety and what it could look like, especially without the distractions that we have seen over the last few years,” Mamdani said.
“And this is something that I shared, that I want this to be about the outcomes because the most important thing is that New Yorkers are given a city that is safe and a city that is just, and too often those things have been put in tension.
Mamdani discusses his recent meeting with the police commissioner.
When pressed on whether Tisch will stay in her post, Mamdani said his team would share updates soon.
“I continue to be confident in my decision, but as soon as there is a public announcement to be made, we’ll be sure to share,” Mamdani said.
While the incoming 111th mayor has met with the police commissioner, he has yet to sit down face-to-face with the outgoing 110th mayor, Eric Adams.
“I’m waiting for Mayor Adams to come back into the city. We will be sitting down when he does,” Mamdani said.
“I had a conversation with him, and I have to say, despite the many political disagreements that we have, I am appreciative of the fact that the transition itself is one that is moving forward. It’s one that our teams have been in contact, and that’s something I appreciate.”
With 46 days to go until he takes office on January 1, Mamdani already has more than $1 million for his transition team, an average contribution of just $80. His team has also received 50,000 applications in his resume portal from every zip code in the five boroughs, except one.
“If you are watching from 11695, we need you! Please apply so we can knock every zip code out of the park,” he said.
Zip code 11695 encompasses residents from the Rockaways in Queens.
The mayor-elect made an open call to residents in Far Rockaway, Queens to apply for opportunities in his administration.
Up Close airs Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. on Channel 7, WABC-TV in New York City and wherever you stream ABC 7 New York.
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