Mamdani admits he lacks federal security clearance after saying he was ‘briefed’ on Maduro capture
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged that he does not hold any federal security clearance, days after publicly stating that he had been “briefed” on the US military’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The clarification came after Mamdani posted a statement over the weekend reacting to the Maduro operation, writing on X: “I was briefed this morning on the US military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City.”
I was briefed this morning on the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City.
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 3, 2026
Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and…
Zohran Mamdani denies having a security clearance
During a press conference on Monday, Jan 5, Mamdani was asked directly whether he holds a federal security clearance or had been contacted by federal agencies in connection with the operation.
“You don’t have federal security clearance yet, and has anyone from a federal agency reached out to you or members of your team to begin the vetting to get federal security clearance?” a reporter asked.
Mamdani responded that the information referenced in his statement did not come from federal officials.
“That briefing, yes, was conducted by my team,” he said, adding that the issue of federal clearance “is one that’s ongoing.”
When pressed further on whether he currently holds clearance, Mamdani replied plainly: “No, not as yet.”
I said it before: Mayor Zohran Mamdani does not have federal security clearance. When asked directly by a reporter, he initially danced around the question—then ultimately answered “NO,” confirming he does not have clearance.
— Lattina Brown, MPA 🇯🇲🇺🇸 (@LattinaBrown) January 5, 2026
That means he was not briefed on Nicolás Maduro or any… pic.twitter.com/5mURMFRfMR
In the post claiming he was “briefed” on the capture of Maduro, Mamdani also slammed Trump for strikes against Venezuela.
Mamdani wrote on X: “Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.”
“This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad, it directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home.” Mamdani added.
Mamdani further said, “My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance.”
Politics over Maduro's capture
Mamdani’s remarks followed the US military’s capture of Maduro, who was taken into custody on charges tied to narcotics trafficking and terrorism-related offenses.
US authorities have accused Maduro of playing a central role in an international cocaine-smuggling network linked to senior figures in Venezuela’s government.
The Maduro arrest has drawn widespread political reaction in the US, particularly in cities like New York, where federal authorities are preparing for legal proceedings connected to the case.
Earlier, White House released a statement contrasting the statements of various Democrats before and after Maduro's arrest.
The White House accused Democrats of taking a U-turn on Maduro and prioritizing their dislike for Trump over national security.
