Zohran Mamdani is trying to change New York City, and not everyone's on board yet

One hundred days into his term, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is learning what many before him have: changing a city of 8.8 million people is slower and messier than campaigning for it. Since taking office, Mamdani has pushed a progressive vision centered on universal childcare, affordable housing, and dismantling systemic inequities. But as the early glow of his historic election fades, the real work - and the real scrutiny - has begun.

One of the most visible setbacks came this week when Mamdani acknowledged that his marquee campaign promise to make all city buses free would not be fulfilled this year. The plan, meant to ease transit costs for low-income riders and reduce congestion, is stalled by funding gaps and resistance from state lawmakers in Albany. While the administration says negotiations are ongoing, the delay has given critics fresh ammunition.

Still, supporters say Mamdani is building something deeper than headlines: a renewed sense of trust in city government. According to reports, his team has prioritized responsiveness - returning calls, showing up to neighborhood meetings, and delivering small but meaningful improvements in schools, shelters, and public spaces. These efforts, advocates argue, are laying the groundwork for bigger changes down the line.

On the national stage, Mamdani has used his platform to speak out on broader issues, from rising bigotry to the future of the Democratic Party. In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, he tied local policies to national struggles, framing childcare access and housing justice as moral imperatives. That kind of messaging resonates with his base, especially younger and more diverse New Yorkers who see him as a break from business-as-usual politics.

But not everyone is convinced. Editorial voices from the right have questioned his competence, suggesting that idealism is overtaking practical governance. Some residents have echoed those concerns, citing slow response times for potholes, sanitation issues, and uncertainty around public safety. The phrase 'buyer's remorse' has started to surface in opinion columns, particularly in outlets skeptical of progressive urban leadership.

The divide reflects a larger national debate about the role of cities in driving social change. Can a mayor truly transform systems like housing and transit in just a few years? Or should the focus be on stability, efficiency, and incremental progress? Mamdani's administration appears to be betting that bold vision and steady follow-through can coexist - but that balance is still being tested.

For now, the mayor's success may depend less on any single policy and more on whether New Yorkers believe he's listening, learning, and moving the city forward. With Albany's cooperation still uncertain and public patience thin in places, the next 100 days could be even more telling than the first.