New York City’s political landscape shifted dramatically on January 1, 2026, as newly sworn-in Mayor Zohran Mamdani wasted no time dismantling his predecessor’s controversial legacy. In one of his first official acts as the city’s 112th mayor, Mamdani signed a sweeping executive order that immediately reversed multiple directives issued by former Mayor Eric Adams following Adams’s federal indictment on bribery and corruption charges in September 2024.
The historic swearing-in ceremony took place at City Hall, with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) administering the oath of office to Mamdani. The moment marked not just a transfer of power, but a clear signal that New York City’s new leadership intends to chart a fundamentally different course from the scandal-plagued Adams administration.
During his inaugural address, Mayor Mamdani struck an ambitious tone while acknowledging the challenges ahead. “The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations,” Mamdani declared, setting the stage for what promises to be a transformative administration.
The executive order reversing Adams-era policies represents just one component of a comprehensive slate of actions Mamdani implemented on his first day in office. The swift implementation of these changes underscores the new mayor’s determination to distance his administration from the ethical controversies that plagued his predecessor.
Eric Adams’s final months in office were overshadowed by federal charges alleging a complex web of bribery and corruption schemes. The indictment sent shockwaves through New York City’s political establishment and ultimately contributed to Adams’s electoral defeat. The specific orders that Mamdani has now revoked were implemented during this tumultuous period, though the full scope of the reversed policies has yet to be publicly detailed.
Mamdani’s rapid action signals a new era for America’s largest city, with the mayor positioning himself as a reformist leader committed to restoring public trust in city government. The timing of these reversals, implemented within hours of taking the oath of office, demonstrates the new administration’s urgency in addressing what they view as problematic policies from the previous tenure.
As New Yorkers begin 2026 under new leadership, all eyes will be on how Mamdani’s bold opening moves translate into concrete improvements for the city’s eight million residents. The mayor’s promise to reset expectations suggests that significant policy changes and governmental reforms may be on the horizon as the new administration works to rebuild confidence in City Hall.
