By Ethan Faverino |

Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) led a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, joined by seven Republican colleagues, demanding the immediate denial of federal security clearance to New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani.

The lawmakers cite a documented, years-long pattern of extremist affiliations, anti-American rhetoric, and hostility toward law enforcement that they argue renders Mamdani unfit to access classified national security information.

“Mamdani has a well-established pattern of siding with extremists, undermining U.S. counterterrorism efforts, demonizing law enforcement, and legitimizing violent movements,” said Congressman Biggs. “He has spent years defending extremists, attacking American law enforcement, and aligning himself with individuals who praise terrorists. Putting classified material in his hands would be a direct threat to NYPD officers, federal agents, and the security of this country.”

The letter highlights a series of alarming actions and statements by Mamdani, including:

• Co-founding Students for Justice in Palestine, an organization that celebrated the October 7 Hamas massacre as a “historic win” and called for “armed confrontation.”
• Endorsing violent unrest, attending rallies promoting “resistance by any means necessary,” and defending the slogan “Globalize the Intifada,” widely interpreted as a call for global violent uprisings.
• Undermining counterterrorism efforts by blaming the FBI for radicalizing al Qaeda terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki—a narrative often used by anti-American propagandists.
• Appearing alongside clerics who prayed for the annihilation of Israel’s supporters and praised Hamas fighters.
• Demonizing the NYPD, repeatedly labeling the department “racist, anti-queer, and a major threat to public safety,” while being arrested for disorderly conduct during a 2021 protest.
• Advocating to defund the NYPD, despite the mayoral role requiring close coordination with the department and federal law enforcement partners.

The lawmakers warn that granting clearance to Mamdani would jeopardize sensitive operations, expose classified information, and endanger frontline personnel. They noted an 8,000 percent surge in violence against ICE agents, arguing that Mamdani’s hostility toward immigration enforcement would further empower agitators and escalate risks to federal personnel.  

“Security clearances are reserved for individuals who can be trusted with the nation’s most sensitive materials—a standard Mamdani doesn’t come close to meeting,” added Biggs. “His record is a bold red warning flag. DHS must reject his request without hesitation.”

The cosigners of the letter include Representatives Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Andy Ogles (R-TN), Eli Crane (R-AZ), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Mary Miller (R-IL), Keith Self (R-TX), and Marlin Stutzman (R-IN).

Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.