Mamdani's wife expected to travel to Syria, Lebanon with taxpayer-funded NYPD security detail

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, is expected to travel to Syria and Lebanon next month with a taxpayer-funded NYPD security detail, per The New York Post. Both countries are on the US 'Level 4: Do not Travel' list. Duwaji requested the detail after traveling abroad in July without protection. Mayoral spokesperson Dora Pekec confirmed the trip, citing NYPD's strong recommendation. A source said the trip is not official business. Pro-Israel advocate Dov Hikind opposed the move, saying it endangers officers.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, is expected to travel to Syria and Lebanon next month, accompanied by police officers from her taxpayer-funded NYPD security detail, as reported by The New York Post on Monday evening, citing a source familiar with the details. Both countries are on the United States' 'Level 4: Do not Travel' list for citizens, with Lebanon's status issued on June 5 and Syria's on July 8. According to the source, Duwaji requested the NYPD security detail after traveling abroad in July with no police protection. Mamdani's office later confirmed the trip and the police security detail, but did not provide additional detail. Mayoral spokesperson Dora Pekec said, '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.' The source familiar with the trip told The New York Post that the trip is not official business and that 'it's not doing anything for the city.' Pro-Israel Jewish advocate Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism and a former Brooklyn Assemblyman, opposed sending NYPD officers to the Middle East on X/Twitter, writing, 'We're putting the police officers in danger. They will be viewed as the bad guys. These are war zones.' He added, 'Duwaji doesn't need security. She will get a hero's welcome and be protected by Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.'

Mamdani's wife expected to travel to Syria, Lebanon with taxpayer-funded NYPD security detail