Morales, who upset incumbent Mayor Brett Smiley in September's Democratic primary and then won Tuesday's general election with 80% of the vote, addressed a range of policy questions and criticism during his appearance. Asked directly whether the city is headed for a radical transformation, he answered, "We're going to change the nature in terms of how government responds to issues."

At the top of his agenda is a proposal to cap annual rent increases at 4%, a measure the City Council passed earlier this year but which Smiley vetoed. Critics argue the cap will discourage new housing development. Morales countered that the ordinance includes a range of exemptions and that protecting tenants from being priced out of their neighborhoods is hardly an extreme position.

"I don't think there's anything extreme about focusing around the needs of working people as it relates to making sure that they don't get priced out of the community that they love calling home," Morales said. He offered the same defense for his education and immigration priorities, saying there is "nothing extreme about ensuring that our Providence Public School students are receiving the resources that they need both inside and outside the classroom" and "nothing extreme about ensuring that our immigrant community feels protected in the city that they call home."

On taxes, Morales signaled that industrial properties along the Providence waterfront would be a target. He argued that large industrial operations currently benefit from the same commercial tax rate as small neighborhood businesses, calling the disparity unfair.

"I find it unfair that the Shell terminal station has the same commercial tax rate as a bodega on Chalkstone Avenue," he said. Asked whether his policies might drive businesses away, Morales replied, "I wouldn't say so."

Morales also outlined a different approach to the city's long-troubled school system, promising to redirect money away from out-of-state consultants and toward student needs. "Ensuring that we're not wasting millions of dollars on out of state consultants and instead focusing those dollars to go towards the needs of our students," he said, describing his approach as more effective rather than more radical.

The interview also touched on a city ballot question that passed overwhelmingly on Tuesday, which directs Providence to stop investing in countries that engage in human rights violations or genocide. The measure does not name a specific country, but it is widely understood to target Israel, and Morales, who is pro-Palestinian, supports it. Jewish leaders have raised concerns about rising antisemitism in connection with the measure.

Asked whether Jewish residents are wrong to feel concerned, Morales drew a distinction between criticism of a government and prejudice against a religious community. "I don't believe that a critique of a government that has been engaging in genocide is a form of antisemitism," he said. "I think that criticizing the state of Israel is not equivalent to criticizing our community members of Jewish faith."

He sought to reassure Jewish residents directly. "I'll just share with our neighbors, especially our Jewish community, that as mayor, I am here to make sure that all of our neighbors feel safe in our city home," Morales said, adding that he looks forward to meeting with Jewish faith leaders over the coming months to hear their concerns as he prepares to take office.

Morales' victory marks a sharp leftward shift for Rhode Island's capital city, which has not previously elected a democratic socialist as mayor. His transition team was announced earlier this week, and he is set to assume office in January.