DHS Secretary Slams NYC Mayor Over Remarks Following Bronx ICE Shooting

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Friday strongly criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his remarks concerning immigration officers in the wake of a shooting incident in the Bronx. Mullin characterized Mamdani's statements as "dangerous" and aimed at inciting hostility, rather than constructive dialogue.

Mullin stated that he spoke with Mamdani for two hours, during which the mayor reportedly demanded the release of the wounded individual, identified by the NYPD as 28-year-old Oscar Belgal, and called for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to leave New York City. According to Mullin, President Trump also discussed the matter with the mayor and offered to transfer Belgal to NYPD custody, but Mamdani allegedly insisted on the suspect's release onto the streets.

"We arrest thousands, weekly, that are criminals and he turns a blind eye to it and won’t even stand up for his own NYPD officers, that by the way, protect him every single day," Mullin asserted. He also questioned Mamdani's characterization of Belgal as a "New Yorker," stating that the suspect was "a far cry" from being a resident and criticized the mayor's assertion that ICE was "rotten to the core."

Mamdani had previously called for the abolition of ICE, deeming the agency "rotten to its core." Mullin retorted, "Well, Mayor, if you abolish ICE, who’s going to take your criminals off the streets of your own town? Who’s going to take the murderers and the thieves and the gangbangers?"

Adding to his stance, Mullin declared, "No, we’re not putting a pause on enforcement. I’m sorry, we’re not. In fact, I’m not sorry. Our job is to enforce the nation’s laws and go after the worst of the worst, and our men and women do a dang good job at it every single day, and we will not stop doing our job."

The incident occurred when ICE agents encountered Oscar Belgal during an enforcement operation in the Bronx. Belgal was subsequently shot by an ICE agent.