Zohran Mamdani blames ‘miscommunication’ after NYPD denies wife Rama Duwaji a police escort to Syria and Lebanon
Zohran Mamdani faced questions after the NYPD rejected a request to provide his wife, Rama Duwaji, with police security for her upcoming trip to Syria and Lebanon.
According to the New York Post, the mayor’s office initially confirmed that Duwaji would receive an NYPD escort for her September 20 trip. The department, however, pushed back, saying it does not send officers to countries under Level 4 travel advisories for discretionary trips that have no investigative purpose.
The reversal exposed a clash between City Hall and the NYPD, with Mamdani later blaming the confusion on “miscommunication.”
Zohran Mamdani cites “miscommunication”
Before the NYPD voiced its disagreement, Mamdani’s spokesperson, Dora Pekec, declared, “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 the backlash that followed, Mamdani changed course the next day.
“There was a miscommunication,” he told PIX11. “She has not yet taken that trip and when she takes that trip, it will be without any NYPD detail.”
The mayor’s office had previously said Duwaji requested the escort and that officials had approved it after the NYPD recommended security for the trip.
However, a source familiar with the situation told the New York Post, “They never checked with the commissioner.”
Why the NYPD refused to send an escort with Rama Duwaji
The NYPD cited security concerns surrounding both countries, which are listed on the U.S. Department of State’s “Do Not Travel” list.
“The NYPD does not send officers to countries with level four travel advisories for discretionary reasons not linked to investigative work,” a police representative said. “This is not an investigative trip and therefore, NYPD personnel will not be traveling there for it.”
Though the mayor’s office didn’t comment on whether the trip was solely personal, a source told the outlet, “It’s not official business. It’s not doing anything for the city.”
The dispute also highlighted the rift between Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who has previously disagreed with the mayor on several public safety and policy issues.
Critics question the handling of Duwaji’s security request
Former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton called the idea of sending city officers to countries on the “Do Not Travel” list “ill-advised.”
Bratton also pointed to the cost and extensive coordination with federal authorities that such an overseas security assignment would require.
David Catalfamo, a former communications director for Gov. George Pataki, similarly criticized the handling of the request and urged Mamdani’s team to improve communication with the NYPD.
“The political folks want to run ahead of the story,” Catalfamo explained. “It doesn’t work that way when it comes to security.”
He added that traveling to Syria and Lebanon “is not like buying a ticket on Amtrak.”
Rama Duwaji’s previous charity controversy
The controversy comes weeks after Duwaji faced scrutiny over a T-shirt she designed to raise money for Dahnoun Mutual Aid, a Gaza-based group that aids displaced Palestinians.
The $47 shirt featured a Palestinian sunbird and the Arabic phrase “Khair Ya Tair.” The first lady of New York pledged 100% of the profits toward winter clothing in North Gaza and raised about $2,000.
The New York Post later reported that the money remained in an Everpress creator account because Duwaji had not provided the necessary banking information.
Her representative said the proceeds never entered Duwaji’s personal account and remained with Everpress pending transfer to the charity.