The mayor-elect said the selections indicate his administration’s commitment to help New York City’s vulnerable residents.

New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced on Tuesday that he is appointing controversial lawyer Ramzi Kassem, who defended al-Qaeda terrorist Ahmed al-Darbi in court, to a top role.

"I would like to be there to show the smooth, peaceful transition of power. We both know how important that is," the outgoing mayor said.

The selection of Kamar Samuels, who leads schools on the West Side of Manhattan, could help Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani craft his schools agenda.

Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign was an effort New Yorkers had never seen before -- an army of volunteers and ads that made use of the skills he learned at the feet of his mother, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Mira Nair. And while she didn't win the golden statue, her son did, ushering in a new generation wielding power at City Hall.

Incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday named his pick to be the city's top lawyer, tapping a former city official who resigned from prominent law firm Paul Weiss this year after it struck a controversial deal with President Donald Trump.

Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani's historic inauguration will feature Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as New York City’s next mayor as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day.

During the political pair’s surprisingly cordial meeting at the White House last month, which took place after the two publicly traded blows for weeks, the president seemingly marveled over Mamdani’s looks, according to a new Mamdani profile in New York Magazine.

While Mamdani, 34, earned nearly 51% of the vote, over 49% of voters cast their ballots against the mayor-elect, overwhelmingly for former Gov. Andrew Cuomo − who ran as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani − and in smaller numbers for Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

On Monday, Dec. 29, Kim Petras told Zohran Mamdani on X that she'll send him her new album early if he gets the "horse carriages banned from Central Park."