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New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has received a federal security clearance, ending a monthslong wait that had left him without direct access to classified intelligence on terrorism and other threats facing the city.
“Yes, I have my security clearance,” Mamdani said Wednesday when asked about the status of his clearance during a press conference in Brooklyn.
The approval comes less than two weeks after Mamdani said the clearance process was ongoing and described the timeline as typical. His administration had previously said senior officials, including members of his staff, had clearances and could brief the mayor on sensitive matters.
“The process of my getting a federal security clearance is ongoing,” Mamdani said Sept. 15. “A number of senior administration officials have a security clearance at this time. The New York City Police Department also regularly briefs me on intelligence investigations that do not involve federally classified information, and we will continue to move forward.”
The clearance traditionally gives New York mayors access to federal intelligence briefings on terrorism threats and other national security matters affecting the nation’s largest city.
Mamdani, who took office in January, had gone nearly nine months without the clearance. The delay drew attention as New York prepared to host the U.N. General Assembly last week, as security heightened surrounding visits by foreign leaders.
The delay was longer than the timelines for several recent mayors. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg received his clearance after roughly four months, while former Mayor Eric Adams obtained his within about five months. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio did not receive his clearance until more than a year into his administration, but he delayed his application.
Adams also lost his clearance after being federally indicted in 2024 on bribery and corruption charges. The charges were later dismissed.
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Mamdani’s administration had maintained that the lack of a personal federal clearance had not prevented city officials from responding to threats, pointing to the NYPD and senior administration officials who had access to sensitive information.
With the clearance now granted, Mamdani can receive federally classified briefings directly as mayor.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
