A political game of chicken is shaping up between the Trump administration and New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani over illegal immigration. And it’s escalating fast.
This comes despite the fact that Mamdani was recently welcomed at the White House, where he and President Trump appeared cordial and cooperative. But once back on his home turf, Mamdani has opted for open defiance — planting his flag squarely against federal efforts to deport the millions of illegal immigrants who poured into the country under Biden’s open-border policies.
As USA Journal reported on Monday, Mamdani released a video instructing illegal immigrants on how to evade federal law enforcement. He urged them to “stand up to ICE” and pledged that, once in office, he’ll “protect the rights of every single New Yorker” — a phrase he’s now using as a euphemism for shielding people who broke U.S. immigration law.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem didn’t mince words. She warned that Mamdani is straying into dangerous territory — and that his actions may very well violate the Constitution. A mayor encouraging illegal aliens to obstruct federal officers isn’t “sanctuary policy.” It’s something far more reckless, and the administration is taking notice.
In a Monday appearance on Fox News’ Hannity, Noem said that Mamdani might want to rethink his strategy going forward. “If he were mayor, [he] could be violating the Constitution by giving advice on how to evade law enforcement and how to get away with breaking the law.”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem calls out NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, warning that his advice on evading law enforcement could violate the Constitution amid soaring attacks on ICE agents:
"The mayor, if he were mayor, could be violating the Constitution by giving advice on how to… pic.twitter.com/ne6R1kC0WC
— Sean Hannity ?? (@seanhannity) December 9, 2025
Hannity:
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem calls out NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, warning that his advice on evading law enforcement could violate the Constitution amid soaring attacks on ICE agents:
“The mayor, if he were mayor, could be violating the Constitution by giving advice on how to evade law enforcement and how to get away with breaking the law. It’s really unbelievable in this country what we are seeing. Those ICE agents you were referencing — the violent attacks that have increased 1,200%, death threats against them are at 8,000%.”
Mamdani — himself an immigrant who came to the U.S. from Uganda — chose Pearl Harbor Day to release a video on social media giving illegal aliens step-by-step instructions on how to evade ICE and avoid detainment or deportation.
The symbolism wasn’t subtle: on a day marking an attack on America, New York’s next mayor used his platform to undermine U.S. law enforcement and help people dodge federal immigration authorities.
It was a deliberate act of defiance — and a stunning one from someone about to lead the nation’s largest city.
“First, ICE cannot enter into private spaces, like your home, school, or private area of your workplace without a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Like this: [image of a search and seizure warrant]. If ICE doesn’t have a judicial warrant signed by a judge, you have the right to say, “I do not consent to entry,” and the right to keep your door closed,” the mayor-elect says in the video.
The mayor-elect also told illegals that “ICE is legally allowed to lie to you, but you have the right to remain silent.” And if they are taken in custody, he advised them to repeatedly ask “Am I free to go?” until they get an answer:
Know your rights. Protect your neighbors.
New York is — and always will be — a city for all immigrants. pic.twitter.com/nuntRzgEwq
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) December 7, 2025
This isn’t some cute little political stunt from Mamdani. It’s not edgy wordplay or trolling meant to annoy President Trump. What Mamdani is doing is far more serious — it is a deliberate attempt to undermine federal law enforcement and put ICE officers directly in harm’s way.
His message to illegal immigrants is unmistakable: defy ICE at every turn, obstruct federal officers, and don’t worry — your mayor has your back.
The subtext is dangerous and intentional. Mamdani is encouraging millions of people who are already here unlawfully to resist removal, escalate confrontations, and treat federal law enforcement as the enemy. And if violence erupts? If an ICE agent is injured or worse? Mamdani has made it abundantly clear he doesn’t care.
Noem’s message to Mamdani and his ilk is that the administration isn’t going to blink on this matter, so they best toe the line or change the laws if they don’t like them. “And these politicians, if they don’t like the law, then go frickin’ change it. Go change the law. That’s your job, is to actually have debate, have discernment, to create a law that actually puts America first,” she said.
“I’m just grateful the president is focused on that,” Noem concluded.
