Mayor Zohran Mamdani has yet to receive federal security clearance, nine months into his tenure—restricting his access to classified briefings about terrorism and other threats facing New York City.
Mamdani sought to downplay the delay Monday, telling reporters at an unrelated news conference at City Hall that the approval process was proceeding on a “typical timeline.”
“The process of my getting a federal security clearance is ongoing,” Mamdani said.
“A number of senior administration officials have a security clearance at this time. The NYPD also regularly briefs me on intelligence investigations that do not involve federally classified information, and we will continue to move forward.”
Mamdani is not the first New York City mayor to face questions about access to classified information while in office.
Former Mayor Bill de Blasio also lacked the high-level clearance at a comparable point in his tenure after never applying for it.
Former Mayor Eric Adams had his clearance revoked after becoming the first sitting mayor to be indicted by federal prosecutors.
Without full access to classified information from the federal government, Mamdani could face limitations in responding to an emergency, potentially slowing an official city response.
The issue comes as the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is underway, with numerous foreign dignitaries expected to visit New York City in the weeks ahead.
