New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani officially kicked off the city's summer pool season on Saturday by plunging into the Thomas Jefferson Pool in East Harlem. The tradition, which involves the mayor jumping into a public pool, had been paused in recent years.
Mamdani, dressed in a full suit and black socks, joined dozens of children in the pool, fulfilling a commitment he made to continue the obscure custom. He had publicly considered the leap after being questioned by a reporter in March and officially confirmed his participation this week.
Maior Michael Bloomberg was the last mayor to participate in the tradition, with his successors, Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams, opting out. Mamdani's predecessors did not continue the practice.