By Charlie McCarthy | Thursday, 01 January 2026 08:34 AM EST
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., declared that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s use of the Quran during his swearing-in signaled “the enemy is inside the gates.” The warning spread rapidly after Tuberville shared a screenshot of a report detailing Mamdani’s decision to place his hand on Islam’s sacred text while taking the oath of office.
Tuberville condemned Mamdani’s choice as evidence that America’s “enemy” had infiltrated institutions rooted in traditional American values. The comments intensified concerns about the direction of New York City under its incoming leader, who is set to become the city’s first Muslim mayor—a move celebrated by progressive activists but met with alarm from conservatives wary of his far-left platform.
Shortly after midnight on Thursday, New York Attorney General Letitia James administered the oath to Mamdani. Reports indicate Mamdani plans to use multiple Qurans for both private and public ceremonies, including one belonging to his grandfather and another previously owned by renowned Black historian Arturo Schomburg, lent by the New York Public Library.
Supporters framed the moment as a reflection of New York’s diversity and a “turning point” for Muslim representation in civic life. Critics, however, argued the symbolism reveals how sharply New York politics has drifted from America’s Judeo-Christian foundations.
While U.S. officials are not legally required to swear oaths on religious texts—most leaders traditionally use Bibles—the issue has sparked debate over public signaling. Conservatives contend Mamdani’s policies, including citywide rent freezes and free child care, mirror socialism and threaten economic stability, with Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., warning that such measures have “never worked anywhere.”
International critics also weighed in, with Dutch populist leader Geert Wilders declaring Mamdani’s oath invalid and urging Americans to “wake up,” asserting the U.S. is “not Islamic.” Despite the backlash, Mamdani remained defiant, thanking supporters on social media for backing what he called a “fight for working people.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., will re-swear in Mamdani at his public inauguration Thursday afternoon and praised him for challenging both political parties’ establishments. Tuberville’s warning, however, extends beyond ceremonial symbolism—it reflects deeper anxieties about whether New York City has become a national model for cultural and political transformation that could reshape the nation.
