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Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of putting criminals ahead of public safety after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and wounded a Dominican national with alleged gang ties in New York City.
“The mayor speaks with political tone. His words are dangerous and incite hostility,” Mullin said at a Friday press conference, accusing Mamdani of attempting to secure the release of the man.
Mullin said President Donald Trump had offered to release the man into the New York City Police Department’s custody if local authorities agreed to pursue charges against him. But the secretary alleged that Mamdani rejected the offer and wanted federal agents to release the man without further action.
Mullin accused New York leaders of undermining public safety by refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, arguing that their sanctuary city policies allow criminal activity to flourish.
“Sanctuary politicians… create an environment for criminal activity to thrive, not for the American citizens to be safe,” he said. “Under President Trump, he made it very clear he was going to restore law and order in our cities, in our towns, and in our states.”
The secretary also criticized New York officials for releasing suspects despite federal immigration detainers, arguing that local leaders were prioritizing criminals over law-abiding residents.
“We’re not picking and choosing which laws to enforce, like these sanctuary politicians,” Mullin said. “Why is that controversial? We should all want law and order on our streets.”
Mullin pointed to a recent stabbing of two NYPD officers, alleging that the suspects had extensive criminal histories and had been released by New York authorities despite an immigration detainer. He accused Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) of remaining silent about the attack while criticizing ICE’s enforcement actions.
“The outrage should be the same,” Mullin said. “If you actually want justice, you should want justice for actually everyone.”
Oscar Belgal, 28, was shot around 4 p.m. Thursday in the Marble Hill neighborhood. ICE official Marcos Charles said Belgal “weaponized” his car, attempting to drive into nearby ICE agents. The agents took action, striking Belgal with a bullet or fragment superficially in the neck. After receiving medical care, he was transported to a detention facility.
Mullin said Belgal had been in the United States for about three years and had accumulated an extensive criminal history, including theft and criminal sale of a controlled substance. Mullin also alleged the Belgal was affiliated with the Trinitarios gang.
“He came in this country legally a few years ago, and ever since he’s come in, he’s committed crime, crime after crime,” Mullin said. “You’re going to call that a New Yorker? I think that’s a far cry.”
Mamdani said he spent two hours negotiating with Trump and Mullin in an unsuccessful effort to secure the man’s release to local authorities, but the negotiations were unsuccessful.
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The mayor condemned the shooting on social media, calling it “unconscionable and incredibly serious” and demanding that Trump end ICE enforcement operations in the city. He also renewed his call to abolish the agency.
“I will not stand by while ICE agents terrorize our communities,” Mamdani said. “Get ICE out of our neighborhoods. Get ICE out of our hospitals. Get ICE off our streets. Get ICE away from our children. Abolish ICE.”
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
