The newly inaugurated mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, promised during his first address to residents on New Year’s Day that he would stick to his “democratic socialist” ideals as he leads the country’s largest city.

Mamdani, a 34-year-old former state representative and rapper, vowed in his inaugural speech in Manhattan on Thursday afternoon to embrace big government and follow through on his promises to roll out free programs to the city’s 8.5 million residents.