Trump-Honored Child Cancer Survivor Sworn In as Honorary NYC Deputy Mayor [WATCH]

Thirteen-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a cancer survivor recognized by President Donald Trump earlier this year during his joint address to Congress, was sworn in Tuesday as New York City’s honorary deputy mayor for public safety, as reported by Fox News.

Mayor Eric Adams presided over the ceremony, joking beforehand that Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry would be “stepping aside” from his position for the day to allow Daniel to assume the role.

“I will be stepping down just for a small bit today, and DJ Daniel will be taking my place as the honorary deputy mayor for public safety,” Daughtry said.

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Daniel, dressed in his honorary “Deputy Mayor DJ” uniform, thanked his father, Theodis Daniel, for supporting him throughout his journey. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my daddy,” he said.

“My dad’s been driving me everywhere. No matter how tired he is, he still gets the job done. And out in Texas, we don’t say we get it done, we get ‘er done, like my dad says.”

Mayor Adams highlighted Daniel’s accomplishments, noting that the teenager has been sworn into more than 1,350 law enforcement agencies across the country, setting a Guinness World Record. Earlier this year, Daniel was named New York City’s honorary police commissioner.

Daniel rose to national prominence in January when President Trump named him an honorary U.S. Secret Service agent during his address to Congress. Trump described him as “a young man who truly loves our police,” drawing a standing ovation from lawmakers.

DJ Daniel, the newest member of the U.S. Secret Service, meets with President Trump in the Oval Office and gives him a hug! pic.twitter.com/IqQ7MNttLi

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 5, 2025

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Since then, Daniel has been honored by law enforcement agencies nationwide, often alongside his father, who earlier this month announced his campaign for Texas’ 18th congressional district.

Mayor Adams praised Daniel’s resilience, telling attendees:

“When it comes to choosing people to serve in the critical role, we are looking for courage, commitment and experience. And you see all these stars, the silver, the diamonds. He has the experience that we need. He’s battle-tested. He’s a battle-tested leader with a strong record of public service, and we are proud to swear him in.”

The mayor said public safety remains his administration’s top priority and added that Daniel would spend the rest of the day visiting New York landmarks, including the Empire State Building. Adams also presented Daniel with a proclamation after the swearing-in ceremony.

Daniel has battled brain and spinal cancer since he was six years old. Doctors initially gave him only months to live, but he has continued to defy expectations. Speaking to Fox News Digital earlier this month, Daniel said, “DJ initially had five months to live, and we’ve beaten that.”

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