New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani marked moving day at Gracie Mansion with a message aimed at everyday New Yorkers: the official mayoral residence should feel less like a closed-off symbol of power and more like a public space that belongs to the city. Speaking from the mansion’s garden alongside his wife, Rama, Mamdani said they were “the latest tenants” of what he called “the people’s house,” and promised to keep his governing style grounded—continuing to ride the subway and buses, use Citi Bike and stay “in the streets” listening to residents’ concerns.
Mamdani leaned into the history of Gracie Mansion to underscore that point. He noted the property has served many roles over time—from public restrooms and a museum to English classes for immigrants and community workshops—and said he wants that legacy of public use to continue. Asked how he would actually make the mansion more accessible, Mamdani said opening it up beyond occasional official events will be a priority as his team settles in.
The event also had lighter moments that played well for cameras. Mamdani joked he hasn’t encountered any “ghost” at the mansion, said installing a bidet is an “aspirational” goal, and shared he’s getting allergy shots so he can eventually adopt a cat. He said his household won’t serve pork, and when asked about local food, he named a neighborhood bagel spot as his current go-to. Questioned about a note reportedly left by former Mayor Eric Adams, Mamdani said he hadn’t found it yet and would keep looking.
Reporters quickly shifted to politics and policy. Mamdani said he’s heading to Albany for the governor’s State of the State and upcoming budget talks, framing the moment as a chance to reset what he called a long-troubled city-state relationship. He pointed to universal child care as an early area of cooperation with the governor and said he expects to discuss his broader affordability agenda and the city’s fiscal outlook with state leaders. Pressed on taxes—such as corporate taxes—he didn’t offer specifics, saying he would have more to share soon.
Mamdani also addressed tougher issues, including antisemitism and federal immigration enforcement. He said his administration is working to fill a city role focused on combating antisemitism and stressed there is “no place” in New York City for language that supports terrorism. On immigration, he said the city will follow sanctuary city laws that restrict cooperation with ICE absent a judge-signed warrant for access to city property, while allowing coordination in cases involving serious crimes. Mamdani criticized immigration raids as harmful and said he hasn’t seen them improve public safety, arguing instead that they create fear and uncertainty for many New Yorkers.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani Holds Media Availability at Gracie Mansion
Gracie Mansion East End Ave & 88th Street New York, NY
January 12, 2026
Sources: Midtown Tribune news , video New York City Hall NYC.gov
