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Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vt., appeared without the vestiges that helped him win the nomination of former President Joe Biden in 2021, as he administered the oath of office to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at City Hall on Thursday.
The moment came as Sanders swore in Mamdani, who described himself in his inaugural speech as a democratic socialist, telling 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 figure four years ago, when photos of the Vermont congressman bundled up 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, attend the inauguration of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani at City Hall, 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 the richest 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 Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vt., attended the inauguration of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Thursday, outside City Hall. (Fox News / The 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 big 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 appeared wearing the usual 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 donated nearly $2 million to Vermont charities through a mitten-related fundraiser following the Internet sensation.
