Bernie Sanders swears in NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani without famous mittens
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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) appeared without the iconic gloves that helped former President Joe Biden become a viral sensation during his 2021 inauguration as he administered the oath of office to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at City Hall on Thursday.
The moment came when Sanders swore in Mamdani, who described himself as a “Democratic socialist” in his inauguration speech and told his supporters, “I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist.”
Sanders’ appearance marked a visual departure from the image that made him a global pop culture figure four years ago, when photos of the Vermont senator bundled up in a winter coat and handmade gloves went viral on social media during Biden’s inauguration.
Before being sworn in, Sanders gave a lengthy speech praising Mamdani’s campaign and agenda, framing the election as a rejection of political institutions.
ZOHRAN MAMDANI WILL BE THE FIRST MAYOR TO TAKE THE QURAN OATH DURING THE OPENING OF NEW YORK CITY
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. and his wife, Jane Sanders, attended New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration at New York City Hall on Thursday. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)
He told the crowd that the volunteers were “fighting the Democratic establishment, the Republican establishment, the president of the United States, and some extremely wealthy oligarchs.”
Sanders also defended policies that Mamdani’s opponents labeled “radical” or “communist”; He argued that proposals such as affordable housing, free child care, free bus transportation and taxing the rich were not “radical” but were necessary in “the richest country in the history of the world.”
Sanders officially took the oath of office shortly after 2:40 p.m., prompting the crowd gathered at City Hall to chant “Zohran.”
SOCIALIST NYC MAYOR OPENED MAMDANI ON NEW YEAR’S DAY WITH BERNIE SANDERS AND AOC
New York Attorney General Letitia James, left, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-Y., and Jane, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., attend the inauguration of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in front of City Hall on Thursday. (Fox News / Pool)
Mamdani said City Hall would “govern broadly and boldly,” promising to pursue policies such as freezing rents for stable apartments, providing universal child care, making buses free and raising taxes on wealthy New Yorkers.
Sanders’ clothes attracted great attention in 2021, Images of her sitting alone in brown stripe gloves with her arms and legs crossed became one of the most shared images of Biden’s inauguration, memes, merchandise and fundraising efforts.
At Thursday’s inauguration, a similarly cross-legged Sanders appeared sitting patiently in the audience as Lucy Dacus sang the socialist anthem “Bread and Roses.”
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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., sits in the stands on Capitol Hill before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in on January 20, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Sanders appeared wearing standard winter gloves, a blue beanie and a puffy green coat instead.
The wool and fleece mittens were handmade by Vermont teacher Jen Ellis, and Ellis later reflected on the viral moment in a 2022 interview. Vermont EditionHe said he donated nearly $2 million to Vermont charities through glove-related fundraising following the internet sensation.
