City Hall says process is proceeding normally; senior officials hold clearances while mayor receives non-classified briefings.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani remains without a federal security clearance nearly nine months after taking office, limiting his personal access to classified intelligence briefings on terrorism and other threats to the city.
Mamdani, who was sworn in at the start of 2026, confirmed this week that the application process is ongoing. “The process of my getting a federal security clearance is ongoing,” he told reporters. He described the timeline as typical and noted that several senior administration officials already hold clearances. “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 Clearance Delay Sparks Mixed Views:
City Hall spokesperson Sam Raskin said the process “is ongoing and proceeding within the currently prevailing timeline.” Officials with clearance in the administration include NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan and the mayor’s chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem. Federal rules prevent those with clearances from simply sharing classified details with the mayor.
Former officials have mixed views on the impact of the delay. Ex-Mayor Bill de Blasio, who experienced a similar lag early in his tenure partly because he applied late, has said a clearance is “vitally important” for a New York mayor to receive a complete picture of potential or ongoing crises. Former Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, however, said the lengthy process is not unusual and can extend beyond a year, adding that he does not view the current situation as a significant problem.
Mamdani’s Security Clearance Remains Under Review:
New York City has long been considered a high-profile target for terrorism and other threats. The delay comes as the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly is under way, bringing large numbers of foreign dignitaries to the city, and amid ongoing global tensions.
Mamdani is not the first mayor to face clearance issues. De Blasio encountered delays, and former Mayor Eric Adams had his clearance revoked after federal charges were filed against him. After Mamdani’s election, some Republican members of Congress urged the Department of Homeland Security to deny him clearance, citing his past political activism and statements. There has been no public confirmation of any denial; the application remains under review.
City officials maintain that the absence of the mayor’s personal clearance has not hindered day-to-day operations or the city’s ability to respond to threats, thanks to briefings from cleared senior staff and the NYPD. The federal review process continues.