NYPD Declines Security Detail for Mayor’s Wife’s Vacation

The New York Police Department (NYPD) will not provide security for Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife during her upcoming trip to Syria and Lebanon, despite previous claims from the mayor’s office. Both countries are on the State Department’s ‘Do Not Travel’ list due to terrorism concerns, which precludes NYPD involvement for personal travel.

According to a spokesperson, the NYPD does not send officers to countries with level 4 travel advisories for discretionary reasons, such as personal travel. This policy came to light following Mamdani’s office claiming otherwise about his wife’s travel plans. Rama Duwaji plans to visit family in these locations in September.

The NYPD does not send officers to countries with level 4 travel advisories for discretionary reasons such as personal travel.

The controversy revolves around earlier communications from Mamdani’s spokeswoman, Dora Pekec, who stated that upon NYPD’s strong recommendation, a security detail would accompany Duwaji. When NYPD declined the overseas assignment, Mamdani cited staff miscommunication as the reason for the mix-up. This stance was shared with news outlets during an inquiry by PIX11.

NYPD Detectives’ Endowment Association (DEA) President Scott Munro criticized the notion of NYPD detectives accompanying the First Lady for the trip. He emphasized that the detectives face danger daily while protecting New Yorkers, and their deployment in foreign countries is reserved exclusively for law enforcement or intelligence missions. Munro stated clearly that their priority is addressing crime and protecting residents within New York City.

Our detectives put themselves in harm’s way every day protecting New Yorkers.

Mamdani’s request for NYPD assistance is ironic due to his vocal criticism of the department in recent years. He has advocated for defunding and dismantling the police, labeling the NYPD as racist and corrupt in various posts. His stance includes accusing the department of oppression, similar to critiques directed toward the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Throughout his campaign, Mamdani explicitly opposed defunding the police, creating contradictions with his more recent statements. Political scrutiny has extended beyond his domestic policies, criticizing his anti-Israel stance and controversial remarks about Israeli leadership.

At public events, Mamdani has faced backlash, exemplified by his recent booing at a pro-police gathering in Staten Island. This incident underscores the ongoing tension between the mayor and the NYPD.