NEW YORK (VINnews) — As Mayor Zohran Mamdani left New York City Sunday for a weeklong family vacation upstate, former state Assemblyman Dov Hikind took a swipe at the mayor, saying New Yorkers would be better off while he is away.

“With the mayor out of town, Jews will be as safe as they were right before he left. Same goes for the rest of New York City,” Hikind wrote Sunday on X.

With the mayor out of town, Jews will be as safe as they were right before he left. Same goes for the rest of New York City. https://t.co/FqW2o19057

— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) August 16, 2026

City Hall said Mamdani and his family will spend the week in upstate New York. The mayor is not expected to hold public events during his vacation but will continue receiving regular updates from senior staff.

First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan will oversee day-to-day city operations during Mamdani’s absence. City Hall did not disclose the family’s exact destination and said the mayor is expected to return in a week.