Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a forceful response to New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's recent comments accusing ICE of “abducting” immigrants, warning that such rhetoric undermines law enforcement and ignores the agency’s role in removing dangerous criminals from communities.
Speaking Wednesday on Fox & Friends, Noem said Mamdani’s remarks show he is unfit to lead a city struggling with crime. “I can't even imagine how the people of New York City feel listening to that,” she said. “If he were elected mayor, they would have to continue to live with the dangerous criminals that are on their streets terrorizing that city right now.”
Noem credited President Trump’s administration for helping deport “hundreds and hundreds” of criminal illegal immigrants in New York City, saying those efforts would be at risk under Mamdani’s leadership. “We need a mayor that will work with us and have our backs,” she said.
Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, made the comments Sunday during a politically charged sermon at the Greater Allen Cathedral of New York. He accused the Trump administration of fostering an “authoritarian” environment and allowing ICE to carry out what he called immigrant “abductions.”
“That is not justice. It is cruelty, and it is criminal,” Mamdani told the congregation. “These are our neighbors. These are people who are guilty of only wanting a field of their own to harvest.”
His criticism of ICE was paired with a passionate defense of his campaign platform, which includes proposals such as city-run grocery stores, free public transit, and expanded rent control. Supporters see his ideas as bold reforms, while critics argue they’re financially unrealistic.
Noem dismissed Mamdani’s policies as unworkable, warning his leadership would turn New York into a “train wreck” and leave families “nowhere to go for help.”
Voters in November will decide between Mamdani and a diverse field of challengers, including Republican Curtis Sliwa, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo — making the race one of the most closely watched contests of the year.