Markwayne Mullin says he has ‘zero respect’ for Mamdani amid ICE surge threat

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Wednesday declared he has “zero respect” for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, calling him a “socialist communist” as the Trump administration moves toward a major ICE enforcement surge in the city.

Mr. Mullin made the remarks during an appearance on Fox News’ “America Reports,” one day after President Trump signed the Secure America Act — a $70 billion measure that funds ICE and Customs and Border Protection through fiscal year 2029.

“First of all, Mamdani is a socialist communist that I have zero respect for,” Mr. Mullin told host John Roberts. “He’s running a great city by allowing lawless activity to continue to run rampant on the streets.”

The secretary’s comments came after Mr. Roberts played a clip of Mr. Mamdani calling ICE raids “cruel” and “inhumane,” and arguing they “do nothing to serve the interests of public safety.” The mayor has been a vocal opponent of the administration’s enforcement push as border czar Tom Homan warned this week that a surge of federal immigration agents into New York City is imminent.

“I made her a promise: You’re going to see more ICE than you’ve ever seen in New York City, and it’s coming,” Mr. Homan said Monday on Fox News, referencing Gov. Kathy Hochul, who signed legislation last month prohibiting local jails from holding individuals on behalf of ICE, banning so-called 287(g) cooperation agreements between local governments and the agency, and barring ICE agents from wearing masks during operations. Mr. Homan added that he had already reviewed an operational plan for the surge, though he declined to specify a timeline.

Mr. Mullin backed Mr. Homan’s assessment, arguing that New York’s sanctuary policies endanger public safety not just within the city but across the country.

“What happens in these sanctuary cities, like what Mamdani is running, is that the criminals go to the safe haven in New York City, but they disperse throughout other parts of the city or the state and other parts of the country and continue this criminal activity,” the secretary said. “We are going after the worst of the worst, no matter where they’re at, and that’s including in New York.”

Mr. Mullin also addressed the broader funding picture, noting that the Secure America Act — which the Senate passed 52-47 on Friday and the House cleared 214-212 on Tuesday — gives DHS stable, multi-year resources to carry out enforcement operations without the risk of future funding disruptions. Democrats had blocked routine Homeland Security appropriations earlier this year, leaving ICE and CBP without dedicated funding for over 100 days.

Mr. Mamdani has not backed down in the face of the administration’s warnings. He has vowed the city will “stand proudly” with immigrant residents and reject what he called an attempt to sow fear in communities.