Letters from an American – January 2, 2026

Host: Heather Cox Richardson
Episode Date: January 3, 2026
Theme: History behind today's politics, highlighting the inauguration of New York’s new mayor, the state of political trust, and the implications of current events on American democracy.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the historic swearing-in of Zoran Mamdani as New York City’s new mayor and uses the moment to trace American political ideologies regarding the government's role. Heather Cox Richardson delves into Mamdani’s promises, the erosion and restoration of faith in government, recent pollings reflecting public sentiment, contrasting leadership, and consequential current events. The narration draws historical parallels to emphasize the crossroads facing American democracy as 2026 begins.

Key Discussion Points

1. Historic Swearing-in of Mayor Zoran Mamdani

• Private and Public Ceremonies:

  • Sworn in just after midnight on January 1 by NY Attorney General Letitia James at the closed City Hall subway station.
  • Public swearing-in by Senator Bernie Sanders on City Hall steps.

• Mamdani’s Inaugural Message:

  • Emphasizes representation of "everyday people"—construction workers, street vendors, neighbors helping neighbors.
  • "If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor. Regardless of whether we agree, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn alongside you, and never, not for a second, hide from you." (02:02)
  • Calls the moment "an opportunity to transform and reinvent."
  • Denounces the end of “big government” as an idea, promising active use of City Hall’s power for residents.

• Vision of Government:

  • Describes a new path:
    • Government not a last recourse, but a force for excellence.
    • "We will restore that trust by walking a different path, one where the government is no longer solely the final recourse for those struggling, one where excellence is no longer the exception." (03:00)
  • Championing collectivism and inclusivity over "rugged individualism."
  • “Rather than using the good grammar of civility to mask agendas of cruelty... they would replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” (04:26)

• Historical Comparisons and Local Legacy:

  • Mamdani invokes past leaders (Bill de Blasio, David Dinkins, Fiorello LaGuardia) and the “gorgeous mosaic” of NYC’s diversity.
  • Promises to “resurrect that legacy” for those who “work hardest.”
  • Recalls New York as the birthplace of the New Deal’s ideals.

2. Reframing Freedom and the Role of Government

• Freedom “To” vs. Freedom “From”:
  • Mamdani reimagines freedom as the “freedom to” pursue life fully, not just freedom from constraints.
  • Echoes New Deal principles—government action as empowering for ordinary citizens.
  • Historical context: Frances Perkins and the legacy of labor reform in New York, the influence on FDR, and bipartisan reforms following tragedies like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.
• Rejecting Anti-Government Dogma:
  • Contrasts Mamdani's approach with decades of Republican calls to “dismantle government.”
  • Notes the effectiveness of past government action in providing social safety nets and opportunities.

3. Public Sentiment and Political Trust

• Recent Polls Reflect Widespread Distrust of Elites:
  • Economist/YouGov poll (12/30):
    • 80%: Political institutions “captured” by elites
    • 82%: Elites out of touch
    • 74%: Prefer leaders with ordinary backgrounds
• Restoring Trust:
  • Mamdani’s immediate action: revokes all executive orders from former Mayor Eric Adams post-indictment (Sept 26, 2024) to address corruption and begin anew.

4. Corruption and Political Contrasts

• Eric Adams' Scandal:
  • Indicted on five federal corruption charges then charges dropped after Adams aligned with Trump.
  • DOJ resignations over the dropped case highlighted ongoing concerns.
• Generational and Ideological Divide:
  • The youth and reform-minded approach of Mamdani versus entrenched, self-serving leadership.

5. National Politics: Trump’s Health and Republican Vulnerability

• Wall Street Journal Article on Trump’s Declining Health:
  • Reports Trump’s sleep issues, public drowsiness, unhealthy habits, and bursts of irritation.
  • Trump's own assertion: “I have very good genetics.” (09:22)
  • Journalists interpret the coverage as signaling GOP concern going into the midterms.
• Republican Weakness in Polling:
  • Recent Signal poll:
    • 49% of independents prefer Democrats; 29% choose Republicans.
    • Eric Michael Garcia (Independent): poll is a “flare gun” for Republicans.

6. Other Noteworthy Current Events

• US Southern Command's Military Actions:
  • Five more boat strikes against purported “narco-terrorists”; at least 115 killed in total.
• Trump’s Social Media Posts:
  • “If Iran shots and violently kills peaceful protesters... the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.” (11:10)
  • Reports on his own “perfect health” and cognitive acumen, urges mandatory cognitive tests for presidential candidates.
  • Posts misleading photos about windmills killing birds; fact-checked as old, unrelated images.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Zoran Mamdani (on inclusivity):
  • “If you are a New Yorker, I am your mayor. Regardless of whether we agree, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn alongside you, and never, not for a second, hide from you.” (02:02)
• Mamdani (on government’s role):
  • "No longer will City hall hesitate to use its power to improve New Yorkers lives. For too long we have turned to the private sector for greatness while accepting mediocrity from those who serve the public.” (03:36)
• Mamdani (on unity):
  • “Rather than using the good grammar of civility to mask agendas of cruelty... they would replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” (04:26)
• On public trust:
  • “We will restore that trust by walking a different path... where excellence is no longer the exception.” (03:00)
• On past leadership and aspiration:
  • “Men like Bill de Blasio, David Dinkins and Fiorello LaGuardia believed that new York could belong to more than just a privileged few...” (03:54)
• Trump on his health:
  • “I have very good genetics.” (09:22)
• Trump posting about cognitive tests:
  • “I strongly believe that anyone running for president or vice president should be mandatorily forced to take a strong, meaningful and proven cognitive examination. Our great country cannot be run by stupid or incompetent people.” (11:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – 04:26: Mamdani’s inauguration, promises, and vision for NYC
• 04:27 – 07:16: Historical context of NYC’s political legacy, New Deal, bipartisanship
• 07:17 – 08:24: Modern anti-government dogma vs. New Deal legacy
• 08:25 – 09:22: Public opinion data, distrust of elites, and Mamdani's anti-corruption actions
• 09:23 – 11:08: Wall Street Journal on Trump’s health, party ramifications, polling data
• 11:09 – 11:59: Southern Command strikes, Trump’s social media on Iran, cognitive tests, misleading windmill images

Summary

Heather Cox Richardson’s episode delivers a powerful narrative connecting local, national, and historical threads. She highlights Zoran Mamdani’s inauguration as a hopeful, reform-driven break from both New York’s and America’s recent political malaise, using his promises and actions as a starting point to discuss the erosion—and potential restoration—of democratic trust. The episode contrasts these ideals with Republican leadership’s current vulnerabilities, brewing crises, and the battle over how freedom, government, and democracy will be defined in the years ahead.