New York City Mayor-Elect Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani responded to questions on Wednesday about whether the NYPD could arrest Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents under his leadership.
His comments came during an interview with MS NOW Senior Political and National Reporter Jacob Soboroff, who asked about potential conflicts between federal immigration enforcement and the city’s sanctuary policies.
Soboroff began by referencing Mamdani’s earlier remarks on accountability and the authority of public officials.
“I’ve also heard you say that no one is above the law and anyone can be held accountable, and that goes for the president of the United States and it also goes for ICE agents,” Soboroff said.
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He then asked, “I don’t want to put words in your mouth, but is there a scenario in which the NYPD under you could arrest ICE agents on the streets of New York for their behavior towards immigrants?”
Mamdani replied by reiterating his position on the NYPD’s role in immigration enforcement.
“My focus is for the NYPD to not be assisting ICE in their immigration enforcement and to actually be following the policies of sanctuary city law. And I do believe, however, that, for the law to have meaning, there has to be accountability for all of us,” he said.
He added that accountability is an issue that must be addressed openly “no matter who we’re referring to,” stating that public trust has eroded because people “are seeing inconsistency take place in every different facet of our society.”
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Soboroff followed up by seeking clarification on whether an ICE agent could face arrest by the NYPD if they were found to have violated someone’s rights in the city.
“So, in other words, there is a circumstance in which, if an ICE agent violates someone’s rights here in New York City, they could be arrested by the police department?” he asked.
Mamdani responded, “I think if an ICE agent is breaking the law, then that is a law that they should be held accountable to.”
The exchange marks one of Mamdani’s most direct statements to date on how his administration might approach interactions between the NYPD and federal immigration officers.
New York City’s sanctuary policies limit cooperation with ICE in most circumstances, and questions about enforcement have become a recurring topic as Mamdani prepares to take office.
Mamdani restated throughout the interview that his central priority is ensuring that the NYPD adheres to city sanctuary rules instead of assisting in federal immigration actions.
His comments also emphasized the broader theme of equal application of law, which he linked to concerns about public confidence in government institutions.
Soboroff’s line of questioning focused on whether Mamdani’s public statements on accountability would extend to federal personnel operating within New York City.
Mamdani did not outline specific scenarios but maintained that anyone breaking the law should face the consequences under that law.
The interview adds to ongoing discussions about how New York City will navigate its policy differences with federal immigration authorities once Mamdani takes office, particularly regarding questions of jurisdiction, enforcement, and potential conflicts between municipal and federal operations.
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So…. he says if an ICE Agent breaks the “law” of NYC, the agent should be held accountable to the law. BUT… according to his 3rd-world logic, I suppose when an “illegal immigrant” is breaking the law, then they should NOT be held accountable for breaking it??? Got it!!!!
State law over FEDERAL LAW and nobody wants to do anything about it. This makes me sick.
democrats always say, “Do as I say, not as I do.”
In his mind, mamdani law supercedes federal law. Federal law should also say, “If you “F” with the laws of the Nation, you lose its benefits, support and FUNDING!”
When the first ICE agent is arrested the LEO, his supervisor, their precent captian, the police chief and the mayor need to all be arrested and then charged under RICO.
well to start with federal trumps city laws and him and his whole can be arrested for interfering with Fed. law enforcement and be put in federal holding cells and end with felony records and also the city could lose all federal funding for anything they want
By aiding and abetting criminal illegal aliens, that is ALREADY against federal law, (as well as threatening FEDERAL OFFICERS), this COMMUNIST would be already breaking the law, and if he does so, he needs to be held accountable, as well as ANY N.Y.P.D. officers that also attempt to hamper federal apprehending operations. As the democommunists keep opining, .”NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW”, and that my friends, includes these “mayors”, and “governors” that are OPENLY disobeying FEDERAL LAW by protecting illegal alien criminals hiding in their cities.
Federal law controls immigration, not State law. End of story. Mamdummy needs to sit back down with his Islamist/Socialist/Trans friends and play kiss the weenie some more.
Please do “arrest” federal agents with ICE Mr. Mamdani. That will be all that is needed to end your silly dalliance as mayor of a major city.
Mamdani must to be arrested if he tries to arrest our federal agents enforcing federal law because that is a federal crime. International Law also is not recognized and Mamdani has no power to enforce or follow it.
Apparently, Mamdani does not know our LAW or does not intend to respect it and his OATH apparently mean nothing so arrest is the only alternative and the same holds true of those dimwits Mayor Johnson and Mayor bASS and all the rest. Time for those politicians who think they are above the law to face the law!
New York has its own Che Guevarra.
With any luck he’ll end up like the original….
The first time they arrest a ICE Agent Mamdani should be arrested for interfering with the federal operation
FAFO douche bag!
It has the potential to kill a lot of what’s left of the NYPD
Wow, this guy has a PhD from the Clinton school of political speech. He has learned the fine art of lying by telling the truth.
Be careful with this guy. Not only is he a Communist, he is also an Islamist. He is already hiring people with like views — anti-American and willing to destroy America. These people are dangerous.
I hope the NYPD told Mamdani two things. First, Illegal Aliens are NOT immigrants, they are invaders! And second, that he should go to…! Seriously I can imagine a scenario where ICE Agents can arrest a cop for interfering with a Federal Action, not the other way around. Just HOW stupid is Mamdani?
He truly is an idiot.
This is what happens when the AG (pam bondi) is useless and her attorneys cover for swamp creatures. When they are so arrogant that they deliberately throw the case against Leticia James then Zamboni here knows he can say and do anything and still walk free.
When is congress or SCOTUS finally going to rule that so called sanctuary cities, state policies are unconstitutional?
Such arrests at Mamdani’s order would make him a co-conspirator in a plot to commit federal felony offenses interfering with lawful enforcement actions.
Please try this lame stunt. Please….
Pam Bondi would let him walk free until the DOJ screws up the case badly enough for a liberal activist judge to toss it.