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Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vt., appeared without the vestiges that helped him make a name for himself in the 2021 nomination of former President Joe Biden when he swore in New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at City Hall on Thursday.
The moment came when Sanders swore in Mamdani, who described himself in his inaugural speech as a democratic socialist, telling his supporters, “I was elected as a democratic socialist, and I will govern as a democratic socialist.”
Sanders’ appearance marked a departure from the image that made him a global pop culture icon four years ago, when photos of the Vermont congressman wrapped in a winter coat and handmade sandals went viral on social media during Biden’s inauguration.
Before taking the oath, Sanders gave a long speech praising Mamdani’s campaign and his agenda, calling the election a rejection of political parties.
ZOHRAN MAMDANI WILL BE THE FIRST MAYOR TO REMEMBER THE QURAN IN NEW YORK CITY.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vt., and his wife, Jane Sanders, attended the inauguration of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani at City Hall on Thursday in New York. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)
He told the crowd that the volunteers “took on the Democratic establishment, the Republican establishment, the president of the United States and some very rich oligarchs.”
Sanders also defended policies that Mamdani’s opponents had labeled “bigotry” or “communism,” saying proposals like affordable housing, free child care, free buses and taxing the rich are “not radical” but 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 “Zohran” to sing to the crowd at City Hall.
NYC MAYOR MAMDANI INCORPORATED BERNIE SANDERS AND AOC ON NEW YEAR’S DAY
New York Attorney General Letitia James, left; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DN.Y.; and Jane and Seni. Bernie Sanders, Vt., attended New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration Thursday outside City Hall. (Fox Stories/Pool)
Mamdani has pledged to pursue policies, including freezing stable housing, bringing universal child care, making buses free and raising taxes on New York’s wealthy, saying City Hall will “govern hard and smart.”
Sanders’ clothes have attracted a lot of attention in 2021, when pictures of him sitting alone in brown chevron mittens with his arms crossed became one of the most widely shared images of Biden’s inauguration, spawning memes, merchandise and fundraising efforts.
During Thursday’s inauguration ceremony, the same-legged Sanders was seen patiently sitting in the audience during the socialist anthem “Bread and Roses” by Lucy Dacus.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vt., sits on a brush on Capitol Hill before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, DC (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Sanders was seen wearing casual winter gloves, a blue beanie and a green coat.
The wool and wool were handmade by Vermont school teacher Jen Ellis, who later reflected on this critical moment in a 2022 interview with Vermont Edition, saying she had donated nearly $2 million to Vermont charities through a mitten-related fundraiser after an Internet sensation.
