NYPD Balks at Providing Security for First Lady Mamdani During Middle East Trip

In an unexpected turn of events, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's office and the NYPD find themselves at odds over a security detail for his wife, Rama Duwaji, during her upcoming trip to the Middle East. Despite initial reports suggesting that the NYPD would accompany Duwaji on her journey, it appears that this is not going to be the case. According to sources close to TMZ, the NYPD has declined to provide a security detail for Duwaji's travels to Syria and Lebanon next month due to concerns over level four travel advisories in those countries. The NYPD stated that sending officers to these destinations is not typically done for reasons unrelated to investigative work. However, this appears to be news to Mamdani's office, which earlier this week informed the New York Post that "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." Duwaji's trip is set to commence on September 20th, and both countries are currently listed as "Do Not Travel" destinations by the State Department. Given Mamdani's earlier assertions, it seems Duwaji may need to invest in private security for her travels due to the NYPD's refusal to provide a detail. It is reported that Duwaji, who prefers to maintain a low profile, specifically requested NYPD security following a previous overseas trip where she traveled without any such protection. We reached out to Mamdani's office for comment but have yet to receive a response. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.