House Republicans demand Trump admin deny Mamdani federal security clearance
In a significant political move, a group of House GOP lawmakers is urging the Trump administration to deny New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani a federal security clearance. Led by Rep. Andy Biggs from Arizona, the coalition of eight members from the House Freedom Caucus has expressed serious concerns about Mamdani’s past associations and statements, which they argue render him unfit for access to classified information. In a letter addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the lawmakers accused Mamdani of supporting “violent movements” and possessing “radical” ties that could jeopardize national security. They emphasized that granting him a security clearance could potentially endanger the lives of law enforcement officers and federal agents, asserting that the federal government has a constitutional obligation to protect the nation from both foreign and domestic threats.
The GOP’s concerns are rooted in Mamdani’s history as a co-founder of a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine during his time at Bowdoin College, which the lawmakers claim has connections to pro-Hamas sentiments. They cited instances where Mamdani has criticized the FBI’s counterterrorism efforts and appeared alongside clerics who have made incendiary remarks against Israel. These allegations are particularly poignant in light of recent violent events, such as the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Israel, which has heightened sensitivities around discussions of national security and public safety. The letter also pointed to Mamdani’s perceived hostility toward immigration enforcement, which they argue could further complicate federal coordination and exacerbate security risks.
Despite these criticisms, Mamdani has attempted to moderate his public stance since his election, promising to serve as a mayor for all New Yorkers. His visit to Washington, D.C., coincided with the GOP’s letter, as he met with President Donald Trump for an introductory discussion following his electoral victory. While the mayor of New York City typically receives a security clearance to stay informed on potential threats affecting the city, the controversy surrounding Mamdani’s past statements and affiliations continues to spark debate about his fitness for the role. As the political landscape evolves, the implications of this situation may have lasting effects on both Mamdani’s administration and the broader discourse surrounding national security and local governance.
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FIRST ON FOX:
A group of House GOP lawmakers is urging the Trump administration not to give New York City Mayor-elect
Zohran Mamdani
a federal security clearance.
Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., is leading seven fellow House Freedom Caucus members in writing a letter to Homeland Security Secretary
Kristi Noem
, accusing Mamdani of supporting “violent movements” and having “radical” ties that they claim make him unfit for classified federal settings.
“DHS must deny Zohran Mamdani a security clearance. The federal government has a constitutional duty to defend the nation against threats both foreign and domestic,” the letter said.
“Mamdani’s record of radical ties, anti-American rhetoric, and support for violent movements makes him unfit. Granting him access to classified information would be reckless and would endanger NYPD officers and federal agents.”
UNEARTHED ANTISEMITIC, ANTI-ISRAEL POSTS FROM MAMDANI AIDE SPARK GOP OUTRAGE
The letter noted that Mamdani co-founded a chapter of Students for Justice In Palestine at Bowdoin College when he was a student there, and it accused the group of praising Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack in Israel.
“He has blamed the FBI for radicalizing al Qaeda terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki, undermining counterterrorism efforts. He has appeared alongside clerics who prayed for the annihilation of Israel’s supporters and praised Hamas fighters,” the letter said.
The GOP lawmakers said granting Mamdani a security clearance could “empower agitators, escalate threats, and put more of these brave agents’ lives in danger.”
HOUSE REPUBLICAN DEMANDS ZOHRAN MAMDANI BE STRIPPED OF CITIZENSHIP, DEPORTED OVER ‘ANTI-ISRAEL’ STANCE
“His hostility toward immigration enforcement would make federal coordination unsafe and undermine national security,” they said.
The mayor of New York City, while not a federal official, does traditionally get a security clearance in order to get briefed on possible terror threats and other national security matters affecting the largest city in the U.S.
The letter comes on the same day that Mamdani is in Washington, D.C., to meet with President
Donald Trump
, a fellow New Yorker, as an introduction after he won his election earlier this month.
The New York City mayor-elect has sought to moderate his views, at least publicly, since the waning weeks of his campaign.
He has pledged to be a mayor for all residents despite critics raising concerns about his hostile rhetoric toward Israel and lackluster pushback on questions of whether he supports Hamas.
Fox News Digital reached out to both Mamdani’s transition team and the
Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) for comment.
