Mullin Blames Mamdani After ICE Shooting, Misstates Mayor's Response
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended ICE after an officer shot a Dominican man in the neck during a traffic encounter in New York while a 5-year-old was in the car. Mullin criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani for denouncing ICE and accused him of inciting hostility, while Mamdani said the shooting was unjustified. Mullin also falsely claimed Mamdani had not addressed a recent stabbing of an NYPD detective, though the mayor had commented and visited the injured officer.
After a federal immigration officer shot a Dominican man in the neck during a New York traffic encounter, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin held a news conference and defended the agents. He said they did not know a five-year-old was in the car, while asserting Oscar Belgal knew and tried to evade them; he declined to explain the discrepancy, citing an ongoing inquiry.
Mullin also attacked Mayor Zohran Mamdani for opposing ICE, saying his remarks fostered hostility. Mamdani had condemned the agency in harsh terms and said the shooting was not justified. Mullin further asserted Mamdani never spoke about a recent NYPD detective stabbing, but the mayor had discussed it and visited the wounded officer.
The dispute may deepen public distrust between federal immigration authorities and local leaders, potentially affecting immigrant communities who rely on city services or police cooperation. It could also intensify scrutiny of ICE tactics and mayors’ roles, while politicizing responses to shootings and officer safety. Families