The New York Police Department (NYPD) will not provide a security detail for Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, during her forthcoming trip to Syria and Lebanon, despite prior claims from the mayor’s office. Both nations are listed as ‘Do Not Travel’ due to terrorism threats.
A NYPD spokesperson stated, “The NYPD does not send officers to countries with level 4 travel advisories for discretionary reasons such as personal travel.” Duwaji intends to visit family in September, as reported by the New York Post.
The mayor’s office initially affirmed that Duwaji would receive NYPD security for the trip. A spokeswoman, Dora Pekec, mentioned, “Upon the strong recommendation of the NYPD, the first lady’s security detail will be joining her when she travels to visit family in Syria and Lebanon.”
However, following clarification that no NYPD officers would travel abroad, the mayor attributed the discrepancy to a staff “miscommunication.” This explanation followed inquiries by PIX11.
Scott Munro, President of the NYPD Detectives’ Endowment Association (DEA), reacted strongly, criticizing the notion of detectives accompanying the First Lady to potentially hazardous foreign regions. Munro stated, “Our detectives put themselves in harm’s way every day protecting New Yorkers. The DEA would never remain silent if our members were asked to travel to a dangerous, off-limits foreign country for anything other than a legitimate law-enforcement or intelligence operation.” He added, “Our detectives are needed here in New York City protecting residents and fighting crime.”
Mayor Mamdani has previously expressed critical views on the NYPD, which contrasts with the expectation of police support for his wife’s travel. He has a history of outspoken criticism against the department and has called for its defunding and dismantling. In a 2020 social media post, Mamdani wrote, “There is no negotiating with an institution this wicked & corrupt. Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence.” Additionally, he called the NYPD “racist” and “a major threat to public safety” in other posts.
The mayor has faced scrutiny for statements perceived as anti-Israel, describing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and comparing the NYPD to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) at a Democratic Socialists of America convention.
During his mayoral campaign in New York City, Mamdani initially stated the opposite, denying any intention to defund the police. Despite these claims, tensions between him and the NYPD remain significant.
Recently, Mamdani was booed offstage at a pro-police event in Staten Island, further highlighting the ongoing friction. Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment.