Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Tuesday that a monthlong federal effort called Operation Rotten Apple resulted in the arrest of more than 2,100 people across New York state whom officials describe as public safety threats, while sharply criticizing Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for what he called a refusal to cooperate with federal law enforcement.
“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 at a press conference.
Mullin pointed to three specific arrests as examples of the operation’s targets, all foreign nationals with violent criminal histories. One was a 39-year-old Indian national wanted on an INTERPOL red notice for an alleged rape charge in Germany. Another was a 50-year-old Ukrainian citizen with prior convictions for kidnapping, abduction, weapons possession and murder.
Mullin argued that such individuals had been able to remain in New York 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 that New York’s Democratic officials have successfully pushed for the release of more than 13,000 immigrants living in the country illegally, and he called on those officials to stop interfering with the work of DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Mullin Targets Mamdani and Hochul by Name
Referencing earlier comments by Mamdani that ICE raids are “cruel, inhumane, and do nothing to protect public safety,” Mullin pushed back directly.
“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 ending 287(g) agreements, which allow local police departments to coordinate directly with federal immigration authorities.
“Keep in mind that seven of the safest cities in the country cooperate with ICE and the 287(g) program,” he said.
He added that many local law enforcement officials privately want to work with federal agents but are blocked from doing so by elected leaders.
“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.
More Federal Agents Could Be Sent to New York
Mullin said the federal government is prepared to deploy additional agents to New York and other cities where local leadership does not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
“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.
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