Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced Tuesday that a month-long federal operation in New York has resulted in the arrest of more than 2,100 people described as some of the worst criminals in the state, and he put the blame for their presence on the streets squarely on New York’s Democratic leadership.
Mullin said Operation Rotten Apple was launched specifically because of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“Operation Rotten Apple was initiated because New York City has a liberal, socialist mayor who, instead of working with law enforcement, tried to cut NYPD’s budget by $22 million and refused to cooperate with federal law enforcement. You also have a governor who refuses to work with us. Over the last 30 days, Operation Rotten Apple has taken over 2,100 of the worst criminals off our streets statewide,” Mullin said.
Among those swept up were foreign nationals with violent criminal histories. Mullin pointed to a 39-year-old Indian national wanted on an INTERPOL red notice for an alleged rape charged in Germany, and a 50-year-old Ukrainian citizen with convictions for kidnapping, abduction, weapons possession and murder.
Mullin said these individuals were free to roam New York’s streets only because of the city and state’s sanctuary policies.
“These individuals should never have been on our streets. While radical-left sanctuary states protect illegal immigrants, the Trump administration and ICE officers are out there every day protecting Americans,” he said.
He also claimed New York’s Democratic politicians have successfully lobbied for the release of more than 13,000 illegal immigrants, and called on them to stop obstructing DHS and ICE from doing their jobs.
Mullin took direct aim at Mamdani’s past remarks calling ICE raids “cruel, inhumane, and do nothing to protect public safety.”
“Are you telling me that taking these arrested individuals off the street is not in the interest of public safety? We took them off the streets to protect New Yorkers while the mayor refuses to cooperate and attempts to slash NYPD’s budget. He is extremely out of touch with what the American people want and what public safety looks like,” Mullin said.
Mullin also criticized Hochul for terminating 287(g) agreements, which let local police departments coordinate directly with federal immigration agents.
“Keep in mind that seven of the safest cities in the country cooperate with ICE and the 287(g) program,” he said.
He said sheriffs and police chiefs across the state privately want to cooperate with federal agents but are blocked by their own political leadership.
“In private, almost every sheriff and police chief wants to work with us. They took an oath to enforce the law, but radical local politicians prevent them from doing their jobs. I thank the sheriffs who stand up against local political interference on behalf of their constituents. Restoring law and order is an issue supported by 80% of the public across party lines,” Mullin said.
Mullin warned that the federal government will keep sending more agents into New York as long as state and city leadership refuse to cooperate.
“Because local leadership refuses to cooperate through the 287(g) program, we will send as many personnel as necessary to restore law and order. President Trump loves New York and is committed to restoring safety here alongside ICE and DHS,” Mullin said.
Fox News Digital reported that it contacted the offices of Hochul, Mamdani, DHS and ICE for further comment.
