Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sharply rebuked Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s claim that ICE is “abducting” immigrants, calling the rhetoric misleading and dangerous. She defended ICE’s enforcement record under President Trump and issued a strong warning that Mamdani’s policies would cripple public safety in New York City.
Secretary Noem appeared on Fox & Friends on August 6, 2025, pushing back against Mamdani’s accusations and highlighting the agency’s role in removing criminal illegal immigrants from city streets. Noem stated, “I can’t even imagine how the people of New York City feel listening to that, knowing that if he were elected as mayor, that they would have to continue to live with the dangerous criminals that are on their streets terrorizing that city right now.
“Literally hundreds and hundreds of [criminal illegal immigrants] have been removed already in New York City because of President Trump’s leadership. We need to continue to do that work, and we need a mayor that will work with us and have our backs when we’re out there making sure we’re going after those individuals.”
Noem called the potential consequences of Mamdani’s election a “train wreck,” arguing that without cooperation between city leadership and federal law enforcement, countless families would be left without protection. She disputed Mamdani’s claim of ICE “abducting” individuals from the streets, calling it sensational and ignoring the agency’s crime-fighting work.
During a speech in Queens, Mamdani painted a picture of a federal government deploying “masked agents” to detain immigrants, calling the tactic “authoritarian,” “criminal,” and a violation of justice. He vowed to block federal immigration raids if elected, claiming that such actions intimidate immigrant communities and threaten democratic dissent.
Mamdani has drawn fire from President Trump, who labeled him a “communist lunatic,” questioned his citizenship status, and threatened arrest if Mamdani interferes with ICE operations . Mamdani responded defiantly, rejecting claims of wrongdoing and promising not to accept intimidation.
News of Noem’s warning comes amid broader scrutiny of Mamdani by the Trump administration. In July, Noem floated activating previously unused Homeland Security authorities to investigate Mamdani, labeling him a “danger” to New York City in light of his support for anti‑Israel protests and radical policy proposals.
Mamdani’s platform includes radical proposals such as government-run grocery stores, rent freezes, defunding or reimagining police responses, and solidarity with controversial protests labeled by Democrats like Schumer and Jeffries as extreme or anti-Israel.
