Mamdani Claps Back at Trump’s DHS Chief: 'We Will Not Be Intimidated'
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani unleashed a blistering response to Markwayne Mullin after the Homeland Security secretary issued a stark warning about halting international flight processing into sanctuary cities.
Mamdani's remarks came during an appearance on “The Briefing with Jen Psaki,” where he addressed Mullin's threats following protests at the Delaney Hall immigrant detention center in New Jersey, which have been marred by reports of hunger strikes and deplorable conditions.
“Our laws and our values are not bargaining chips,” Mamdani declared. “We will not be threatened to leave so many of the New Yorkers, who call this city home, prey to these kinds of cruel policies. We are proud of the fact that we are a sanctuary city.”
He emphasized the significance of this status, stating, “One, it is a policy designed to keep New Yorkers safe. Two, we know that here in our city, we are proud of the more than 3 million New Yorkers who are immigrants. I’m one of them.”
The protests at Delaney escalated earlier this week after Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) reported injuries from pepper spray used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers against hunger strike participants and detainees.
Mullin claimed on Fox News that he had “visited with the White House” regarding the protests, asserting that his department is “drawing up plans” to restrict international flights into sanctuary cities where local officials refuse to enforce federal laws.
On Thursday, Psaki pressed Mamdani on whether he had discussed Mullin's threat with Trump, given their previous cordial meetings. Mamdani opted to keep “the cadence of our conversations” private.
“But what I will say, Jen, is that when I’ve had those conversations with the president, I have made clear, as you’ve said, that I view ICE actions to be cruel and inhumane,” he stated. “These are not actions that serve any interest of public safety.”
Mamdani criticized ICE for “operating with impunity” in New York City and across the nation, highlighting that his constituents often remain unaware of what could jeopardize their safety—simply by existing in their own city.
