The first month in office for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has drawn increased attention following a winter snowstorm that left large sections of the city struggling with basic services, while separate policy decisions regarding homelessness have come under renewed examination.

Mamdani, who ran on a platform focused on affordability and progressive reforms, took office shortly before a major winter storm swept across the region.

The storm dropped more than a foot of snow on New York City, affecting transportation, sanitation, and emergency response systems across the five boroughs.

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

Nearly a week after the storm, large portions of the city remained impacted. Snow-covered sidewalks limited pedestrian movement, while buses and taxis faced difficulty navigating major streets and avenues.

Residents described ongoing transportation disruptions, and piles of uncollected trash accumulated in multiple neighborhoods.

City sanitation officials announced on Wednesday that limited trash collection was underway and warned residents of possible “slight delays.”

The trash buildup contributed to an increase in rodents in affected areas, compounding sanitation concerns as cleanup efforts continued.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

City officials had advance notice of the storm and conducted meetings and press briefings ahead of its arrival.

Mamdani publicly criticized how the prior administration under former Mayor Eric Adams handled snow removal and emergency response, while his own administration launched public communications campaigns before the storm hit.

Despite those preparations, the city’s response drew criticism from community groups and local outlets.

VINnews, a publication serving New York’s Jewish community, contrasted Mamdani’s performance with expectations for city leadership during emergencies, writing:

“Mamdani, by contrast, presides over a city that looks more like a disaster zone than a metropolis. Preparation alone does not equal competence. A mayor’s job is results—and right now, Mamdani is failing. NYC’s first crisis under his watch proves what many warned before the election: political talent cannot replace managerial skill. Words and appearances will not clear streets, move buses, or pick up trash. Leadership is about action, not optics.”

Public safety concerns also emerged following Mamdani’s earlier decision regarding homeless encampments.

Before being sworn into office in early December, Mamdani announced that his administration would not break up homeless encampments during the winter months.

The policy marked a shift from prior city practices that, during freezing temperatures, involved police officers and social workers moving homeless individuals into shelters.

Mamdani explained his reasoning at the time, saying, “If you are not connecting homeless New Yorkers to the housing that they so desperately need, then you cannot deem anything you’re doing to be a success,” criticizing the previous policy of dismantling encampments and placing individuals into temporary housing.

Following the winter storm, city officials reported that 14 homeless individuals died on the streets during the period after the storm began.

The deaths intensified scrutiny of the administration’s approach as temperatures dropped and emergency conditions persisted.

On Friday, Mamdani reaffirmed his policy, stating that homeless individuals would only be forced off the streets “as a last resort.”

When asked to clarify what circumstances would meet that threshold, the mayor said intervention would occur if individuals posed a danger to themselves or others.

Reporters pressed for details on how such determinations would be made at street level, including what systems were in place to assess risk. Mamdani did not provide a detailed explanation during the exchange.

The storm response and homelessness policies have unfolded as Mamdani’s administration begins its tenure amid broader political debates.

Critics have also pointed to proposed tax policies and affordability measures that were part of Mamdani’s campaign messaging, noting that fiscal changes are being discussed early in his term.

Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and came to the United States in 1998 at age seven, became a U.S. citizen in 2018.

His background and political philosophy have been part of ongoing public discussion as his administration takes shape.

The developments in New York come as Republicans nationwide assess Democratic governance records ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

In Virginia, Gov. Abigail Spanberger, who also campaigned on affordability and economic relief, has faced separate scrutiny over policy choices made during her early weeks in office.

As New York continues recovery efforts following the storm, city officials say sanitation operations and transportation services will gradually return to normal.

At the same time, Mamdani’s decisions on emergency management and homelessness remain central issues as his administration moves forward under heightened public and political attention.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Objectivist. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.