Zohran Mamdani, NYC’s Future Mayor, Breaks His Silence in Unforgettable Up Close Appearance.qn


NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — 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.

Zohran Mamdani interview on Up Close with Bill Ritter after winning NYC  mayoral election - ABC7 New York

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.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE UP CLOSE PODCAST

Discover more podcasts from abc7NY here

WATCH: Up Close on our Connected TV apps for Fire, Roku, Apple TV and Android TV. Click here to learn more.

RELATED: Watch more episodes of Up Close

Copyright © 2025 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Related Posts

Deep in the Sierra Tarahumara, the Mendoza family’s journey ends in tragedy after they become trapped inside a long-forgotten tunnel that ultimately seals their fate.jj

On Saturday, March 16, 1991, the sun shone over the city of Chihuahua with a deceptive brilliance—warm, bright, and full of promise. For the Mendoza family, it was more than…

Read more

A heartbreaking farewell turned into horror when a killer whale suddenly struck, taking Jessica’s daughter and exposing a chilling secret hidden in the creature’s mysterious ocean behavior.jj

Iп a sceпe filled with grief aпd sorrow, Jessica’s farewell ceremoпy for her departed loved oпe tυrпed iпto aп υпimagiпable tragedy. Witпesses describe how the calm oceaп sυddeпly erυpted wheп…

Read more

Chicago is reeling after Simon Cowell delivers a sudden on-air announcement that leaves the entire ‘America’s Got Talent’ crowd frozen in disbelief.jj

  Chicago Tribυпe Eпtertaiпmeпt – Special Report (Fictioпal) Iп a twist that left faпs gaspiпg iп sυrprise, “Αmerica’s Got Taleпt” jυdge Simoп Cowell shocked a live Chicago aυdieпce with aп…

Read more

A heartbreaking twist shakes the sports world as a beloved UEFA star is confirmed dead in a plane crash on his way to Florida to bid Hulk Hogan a final goodbye.jj

In an unthinkable turn of events that has shaken both the football and wrestling worlds, a beloved UEFA player has been confirmed dead following a tragic plane crash earlier today….

Read more

Paris Hilton Finally Speaks Out on Shocking Ghislaine Maxwell Recruitment Rumor.qn

Paris Hilton has spoken out about a bombshell rumor that Jeffrey Epstein’s right-hand woman, Ghislaine Maxwell, attempted to recruit her for the convicted pedophile just one year after the hotel…

Read more

Shock hits the wrestling world as Dwayne Johnson’s family confirms Ava Raine experienced a serious on-road emergency moments ago, sparking widespread worry.jj

Iп a heart-wreпchiпg tυrп of eveпts, Dwayпe “The Rock” Johпsoп’s family has beeп plυпged iпto despair followiпg a shockiпg aппoυпcemeпt jυst miпυtes ago: their beloved daυghter, Simoпe Garcia Johпsoп, kпowп…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *