New York City is reeling from an astounding revelation: Mayor Zohran Mamdani's wife, Rama Duwaji, reportedly demanded a taxpayer-funded NYPD security detail for an upcoming personal trip to Syria and Lebanon. These nations are explicitly flagged by the U.S. State Department with a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory, indicating severe danger to American citizens. The request, which many would deem an outrageous misuse of public resources, was ultimately — and commendably — rejected by the NYPD.
Duwaji's proposed journey, scheduled to begin September 20, aimed squarely at regions currently embroiled in conflict and instability. Initially, Mayor Mamdani's office astonishingly confirmed that an NYPD detail would accompany his wife, claiming it was "upon the strong recommendation of the NYPD." However, this narrative quickly unraveled. The NYPD issued a swift and decisive denial.
“The NYPD does not send officers to countries with level four travel advisories for discretionary reasons not linked to investigative work,” an NYPD spokesperson declared, emphasizing, “This is not an investigative trip, and therefore, NYPD personnel will not be traveling there for it.” The stark contradiction between the Mayor's office and the police force highlights a troubling attempt to potentially deploy America's finest into a war zone for what a source familiar with the security detail plainly stated was “not official business” and “not doing anything for the city.”
This is not merely a bureaucratic misstep; it points to a deeper concern given Duwaji's controversial history. A Syrian-American artist with deep ties to the region, Duwaji has become known for her staunchly anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian views. Following the barbaric October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks against the Jewish state, she was reportedly caught curating Spotify playlists featuring "foulmouthed anti-Israel lyrics." Even more disturbing, Duwaji liked celebratory Instagram posts in the wake of Hamas's sneak assault and, shockingly, a post that claimed the horrific rapes carried out by the terror group against Israeli hostages and victims were a “mass hoax.”
Dov Hikind, founder of Americans Against Antisemitism and a former Brooklyn Assemblyman, minced no words in his condemnation of the proposed security detail. “We're putting the police officers in danger. They will be viewed as the bad guys. These are war zones,” Hikind warned. “Duwaji doesn't need security. She will get a hero's welcome and be protected by Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis. Duwaji will be fine.”
The absurdity deepens when one considers Duwaji's recent travel history. She previously journeyed to spiritual retreats on the French island of Corsica and the Spanish island of Mallorca, even reportedly ditching America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, all without the need for an NYPD escort. It begs the question: why the sudden demand for a taxpayer-funded security entourage into genuine war zones for what the Mayor's office initially tried to spin as a "visit family" trip?
Beyond her current associations, Duwaji's past social media posts have also drawn fire. In 2015, she claimed Tel Aviv “shouldn't exist in the first place” and referred to its residents as “occupiers.” Years prior, as a teenager in 2013, she reportedly used the N-word in another post. These past and present sentiments paint a picture far removed from the values of common sense, public safety, and accountability that New Yorkers expect from their city's leadership.
The NYPD's firm refusal to bend to this questionable request is a rare but welcome display of sanity, prioritizing officer safety and sound judgment over political optics or personal convenience. This incident starkly highlights the chasm between the radical-left priorities of certain public figures and the America First principles that demand responsible governance, unwavering support for our law enforcement, and a steadfast commitment to American values, not the protection of those who seemingly align with anti-American interests abroad. Accountability, it seems, still has a voice in New York City, even if it has to shout over the mayor's own office.
