Zohran Mamdani, born in Uganda to a family of Indian origin, was sworn in on Thursday as the mayor of New York City, the United States’ largest city.

Mamdani, 34, took his oath at an abandoned subway station beneath City Hall, reflecting his commitment to working people. His private swearing-in was performed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who previously prosecuted U.S. President Donald Trump for fraud.

Mamdani, a Democrat and former member of the New York State Assembly, campaigned on promises including rent freezes, universal childcare and free public buses.

Mamdani will move from his rent-controlled apartment in Queens to the mayor’s residence in Manhattan for security reasons. He was sworn in using several Korans, including two from his family and one belonging to Black Puerto Rico-born writer Arturo Schomburg.