New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivers a speech during his inauguration ceremony in New York City, U.S., January 1, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration ceremony in New York City
(New York, New York) – Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Friday that he will sign an executive order creating a new Office of Mass Engagement, a new City Hall unit designed to formalize and expand the grassroots movement that powered his mayoral campaign.
The office will be led by Tascha Van Auken, the architect of Mamdani’s campaign field operation, which mobilized almost 100,000 volunteers across the city during the primary and general elections. City officials say the new office will oversee several existing entities, including the Public Engagement Unit, the Mayor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships, NYC Service, and the Civic Engagement Commission.
“For too long, city government has only listened to the wealthy and well-connected while working New Yorkers remain disconnected from those elected to serve them,” Mamdani said in a statement. “The Office of Mass Engagement will fundamentally change this, creating a deeper connection between City Hall and everyday New Yorkers.”
Van Auken, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, previously managed field efforts for State Sen. Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest. She said the new office will aim to “demystify government” and help residents navigate city services, particularly during crises such as eviction proceedings, unemployment disputes, or caregiving needs.
The move signals Mamdani’s intent to bring campaign-style organizing directly into City Hall – a shift supporters describe as participatory governance, while critics warn it could blur the line between activism and administration.
Mayor Mamdani signed the executive order in front of a crowd in Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, on Friday afternoon.
