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The senator Bernie SandersI-Vt., appeared without the iconic mittens that helped make him a viral sensation at former President Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration when 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 in his inaugural address as a “democratic socialist“, telling my supporters, “I was elected as a democratic socialist and I will govern as a democratic socialist.”
Sanders’ appearance marked a visual shift 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 mittens quickly spread on social media during Biden’s inauguration.
Before taking the oath of office, Sanders delivered a lengthy speech praising Mamdani’s campaign and platform, framing the election as a rejection of political establishments.
ZOHRAN MAMDANI TO BE FIRST MAYOR TO TAKE OATH ON QURAN AT NEW YORK CITY INAUGURATION
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and his wife, Jane Sanders, attend New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration ceremony at New York City Hall on Thursday. (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 extremely wealthy oligarchs.”
Sanders also defended his policies Mamdani’s opponents had called it “radical” or “communist”, arguing that proposals such as affordable housing, free childcare, free bus travel and taxing the rich were “not radical” but necessary in “the richest country in the history of the world”.
Sanders was officially sworn in shortly after 2:40 p.m., prompting chants of “Zohran” from the crowd gathered at City Hall.
NYC SOCIALIST MAYOR MAMDANI INAUGURATED ALONGSIDE BERNIE SANDERS AND AOC ON NEW YEAR’S DAY
New York Attorney General Letitia James, left; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.; and Jane and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., attend New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration in front of City Hall on Thursday. (Fox News/Pool)
Mamdani pledged to pursue policies including freezing of rents for stabilized apartmentsoffering universal child care, making buses free and raising taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, saying City Hall would “govern expansively and boldly.”
Sanders’ attire has attracted attention in 2021, when images of him sitting alone wearing brown herringbone mittens, his arms and legs crossed, became one of the most widely shared visuals of Biden’s inauguration, spawning memes, merchandise and fundraising efforts.
At Thursday’s inauguration ceremony, Sanders, cross-legged, stood patiently in the audience during Lucy Dacus’s performance of the socialist anthem “Bread and Roses.”
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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., sits in the stands at the Capitol before President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Sanders appeared wearing standard winter gloves, a blue beanie and a puffy green coat.
The wool and fleece mittens were handmade by Vermont teacher Jen Ellis, who later reflected on the viral moment in a 2022 interview with Vermont Editionclaiming she donated about $2 million to Vermont charities through a mitten-related fundraiser after the internet sensation.
