Trump's Border Czar Issues Stark Warning to Zohran Mamdani: 'Game On'
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Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's appointed border czar, issued a warning to New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani on the heels of his mayoral primary victory, saying that immigration enforcement will "double down and triple down on sanctuary cities."
Newsweek reached out to Mamdani's campaign via email Wednesday for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump has prioritized immigration control as a key pillar of his second administration. The president campaigned last year on the promise of mass deportations and appointed Homan to execute his agenda.
On Tuesday night, Mamdani, a Democratic socialist, clinched the first-round vote in the New York City mayoral primary race against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Mamdani landed the backing of Democratic U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and independent U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and was largely unknown when he announced his intent to run, per the Associated Press (AP).
What To Know
Mamdani built his campaign around affordability in the Big Apple and focused on rent freezes. His platform also includes no-cost child care, free buses and "Trump-proofing" the city.
In a link on his campaign website, Mamdani says his administration, should he become mayor, would focus on getting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) out of New York City facilities, end cooperation with the agency, protect personal data from outside jurisdictions and "bolster legal support" for immigrants.
"Donald Trump is tearing at the fabric of New York City in his second term. He has deployed ICE agents to pluck New Yorkers from their families," Mamdani said on his website.
While speaking on Fox Business with Larry Kudlow, Homan was asked about Mamdani's immigration platform, saying, "Good luck with that."
"Federal law trumps him ... every day, every hour of every minute," Homan continued. "We're going to be in New York City, matter of fact, because it's a sanctuary city and President Trump made it clear a week and a half ago, we're going to double down and triple down on sanctuary cities."
Homan later added: "Were going to concentrate in sanctuary cities because we know they're releasing public safety threats and national security threats back to the street, so we know we've got a problem there."
He also said that federal officials don't seem to have a problem with states like Florida, where sheriffs "work for us."
Trump's border czar asserted that if immigration enforcement officials can't arrest people in jail, they would "find them" in neighborhoods or work sites, adding, "so game on, we're coming."
Kudlow also asked Homan if Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams is helping him, to which he responded that Adams "wants to do the right thing," and wants to be a law-and-order mayor.
Tom Homan, Trump administration border czar, can be seen talking with reporters outside the West Wing at the White House on June 19 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by)
Tom Homan, Trump administration border czar, can be seen talking with reporters outside the West Wing at the White House on June 19 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by)
What People Are Saying
Trump posted to Truth Social on Wednesday: "It's finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor. We've had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous."
Trump continued: "He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he's not very smart, he's got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin' Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!"
Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday: "I have known @ZohranKMamdani since we worked together to provide debt relief for thousands of beleaguered taxi drivers & fought to stop a fracked gas plant in Astoria. He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity."
Schumer added, "I spoke with @ZohranKMamdani this morning and am looking forward to getting together soon."
What Happens Next
The New York City mayoral election will now head to ranked choice voting, as no candidate received a majority of the vote Tuesday night.
The AP contributed to this report.
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