ICE and city officials blast mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for not responding to a CBP officer shooting in New York.

Silence After Attack Draws Federal Criticism

New York City’s mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani is under intense scrutiny from federal immigration authorities and local leaders after failing to publicly address a violent incident in which an off-duty Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer was shot in a city park. The shooting, which occurred Saturday night, involved an alleged attempted robbery by two Dominican nationals accused of being in the country illegally. The CBP officer was hospitalized after being struck in the face and forearm but is in stable condition. Both suspects were apprehended, with one sustaining injuries in the shootout, according to authorities.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons condemned Mamdani’s silence, describing it as “deafening, deliberate, disturbing, and sadly predictable.” Lyons warned that Mamdani’s “reckless anti-law enforcement policy positions would endanger legal, law-abiding New Yorkers,” and added, “His silence in the face of this brutal attack speaks volumes about where his priorities lie, and it’s not with public safety and the American people.”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem placed responsibility on New York City’s sanctuary city policies, echoing sentiments from DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who stated, “Sanctuary politicians must condemn this violence and put the safety and security of our citizens first.” McLaughlin added, “Make no mistake: these criminal illegal aliens pulled the trigger, but Zohran Mamdani, and other sanctuary politicians in this country have blood on their hands.” DHS pledged to continue prioritizing the removal of criminal non-citizens from sanctuary cities nationwide.

Mamdani’s Progressive Stance Fuels Political Divide

Mamdani, who recently secured the Democratic nomination for mayor, has previously called for defunding the police and vowed to oppose cooperation with federal deportation efforts if elected. After his primary win in June, Mamdani declared he would halt “masked” ICE officials from “deporting our neighbors.” Despite the heightened criticism, Mamdani has yet to release any public comment on the CBP shooting, with no statement posted on his campaign website or social media.

On Sunday, Mamdani announced he was traveling to Uganda in a personal capacity for a family celebration, assuring critics, “I do want to apologize to the haters, because I will be coming back,” and vowing to return to New York by the end of the month. The lack of response has intensified debate over public safety, immigration policy, and leadership priorities in the city’s heated mayoral race.

Mayor Eric Adams responded by expressing a willingness to cooperate with federal agents “if they go after dangerous people like this individual who shot an innocent Customs and Border Patrol agent.” However, Adams cautioned against targeting “everyday individuals who are trying to complete the path to be a citizen.” Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa positioned himself as the only candidate opposing sanctuary city status, in contrast to Adams, Cuomo, and Mamdani, while independent candidate and former Governor Andrew Cuomo did not immediately comment.

Fears of Instability, Economic Impact, and Party Division

Opponents, including Republican councilwoman Inna Vernikov—herself a Soviet émigré—warned of “a chaotic city with lawlessness” and predicted a middle-class and wealthy exodus should Mamdani’s policies prevail. “He wants government-run supermarkets. That runs completely counter to what America is supposed to be. America was built on the free market economy, meritocracy, and competition,” Vernikov said, recalling her own experience under communist rule and likening Mamdani’s positions to those of the former Soviet Union.

Nationally, Mamdani’s campaign and progressive stances have sparked debate within the Democratic Party. Julian Epstein, a former House Judiciary Chief Counsel and Democrat, predicted a possible reckoning for the party, saying, “If he wins, not only will it continue to sink the national brand of the party, it may portend the eventual break-up of the party as we know it today.” Vernikov echoed these concerns, arguing that the Democratic Party has “radically moved to the left” and that many moderate members are now politically cornered, facing threats of primary challenges from progressive factions.

Meanwhile, violence against federal immigration officers continues to rise. DHS data reports an 830% increase in assaults on ICE agents over the past year as the Trump administration intensifies enforcement efforts. Recent attacks include an ambush at a McAllen, Texas, facility and an Independence Day incident in Alvarado, Texas, where multiple individuals were charged with attempted murder of federal officers.

With New York’s mayoral race at the center of a national debate on public safety, immigration, and the future of Democratic Party leadership, the implications of Mamdani’s silence—and the broader policy divisions it highlights—are likely to remain in the spotlight as November approaches.