It's officially been one week since City Hall was turned over to a 34-year-old Queens assemblyman. Zohran Mamdani made history as the first Muslim mayor of New York City when he was sworn in at midnight on Jan. 1, 2026.

The Democratic Socialist hit the ground running, signing nearly a dozen executive orders in his first week that includes tenant protections, regulation of city jails and some undid those of his predecessor.

He created a Mayors Office of Mass Engagement to include New Yorkers in policy making but has also had to answer criticism on his day one decisions.

"A week or so in, he is controlling the narrative and that's what political leaders really want to do," said Christopher Malone, a political analyst and associate provost at Farmingdale State College.

Mamdani has made historic appointments to his team that is a mixed bag of City Hall veterans, longtime activist and new faces in the DSA party.

"The mix of experienced New York officials with some fresh faces out of his movement, if you will, tells you that he's governing the way he ran his campaign, and that's the way we expect him to go forward," said Malone.

It has not been without friction, as two of his picks have faced scrutiny for controversial social media posts that led to one handing in her resignation papers before he was sworn in.

"Every new mayor has had, some mistakes when it comes to appointments, you know, why have they done that? Maybe it's because of the vetting process, maybe they brought in individuals that are not in the mainstream, if you will," said Malone.

The mayor shared a handshake of unity with Gov. Kathy Hochul, as the pair appeared together throughout the week from announcements to celebrate the one-year anniversary of congestion pricing, to the first public safety briefing of the year, and today where they unveiled plans to deliver on a key campaign promise of free childcare for 2-year-olds across the city.

"He has a strong partner in the state of New York," said Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Now the challenge lies in funding his bold plans.

"If the economy turns down nationally, that's going to affect New York state's budget, and that's going to affect what New York state can provide for New York City; that will affect what Mayor Mamdani can do," said Malone. The governor did not answer a question when asked if this plan makes it more or less likely to fund Mamdani's free bus fares.

"Ask us next week," the governor said to a reporter.

Mamdani also faces an uphill battle when it comes to the Trump Administration and the Department of Homeland Security. The mayor has stood firm on his stance of New York City upholding its sanctuary city policies and has repealed a previous order that allows cooperation of ICE on Rikers Island.

"As ICE attacks our neighbors across America, it is an attack on us all. New York stands with immigrants today, and every day that follows," the mayor said.