Bill de Blasio was formally inaugurated as the 109th mayor of New York City on Wednesday.
On the steps of City Hall, former President Bill Clinton administered the oath of office using a bible once owned by Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
An unabashed liberal Democrat, De Blasio vows to reduce the gap between New York City's rich and poor, and to keep crime down.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BILL DE BLASIO, NEWLY SWORN IN NEW YORK CITY MAYOR SAYING:
"I will honor the faith and the trust you have placed in me and we will give life to the hope of so many in our city. We will succeed as one city and we know this won't be easy..."
De Blasio succeeds Michael Bloomberg, who leaves City Hall after 12 years in office.
Bloomberg plans to stay active in issues related to gun control, government innovation, and public health.
