Full Breakdown
Mayor’s Wife Security Detail Sparks New York Police Department (NYPD) Dispute
8/12/2026, 1:04:23 AM
Background & Context
Both Lebanon and Syria are listed by the U.S. State Department as “Level 4: Do Not Travel.” Lebanon received this advisory on June 5 and Syria on July 8. Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, plans to visit family in the two countries in September, a trip that coincides with the 81st United Nations General Assembly, when NYPD resources are expected to be heavily allocated.
NYPD Response
An NYPD spokesperson countered that the department does not send officers to countries with Level 4 travel advisories for discretionary reasons unrelated to investigative work. Former Police Commissioner Bill Bratton warned that deploying officers to such locations would be “ill-advised” and would place them at risk.
Criticism & Concerns
Pro-Israel advocate Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism, argued on X/Twitter that sending NYPD officers to the region would endanger them and portray the police as “the bad guys” in “war zones.” He added that Duwaji “doesn’t need security” and would instead be protected by hostile groups.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There was a miscommunication. She has not yet taken that trip and when she takes that trip it will be without any NYPD detail,” — Zohran Mamdani, mayor
