Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confronted CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday, blasting the network’s focus on two recent shootings of illegal immigrants in New York City.
Numbers drive the argument
Mullin cited 258 illegal immigrants in New York City who face murder charges or convictions, and another 258 in state prisons who have killed people while awaiting deportation.
He said Oscar Belgal, arrested for a three‑year stay, carried a lengthy rap sheet and was tied to the Trinitarios gang, prompting violent confrontations when ICE moved to detain him.
“When we approach a vehicle, the suspect knows jail is coming,” Mullin told Tapper, noting that “fight or flight” instincts often spark resistance.
He added that the two shootings since he took office represent a fraction of the 258 murder‑wanted illegals currently at large in the city.
“All 258 of those individuals took an American life,” Mullin declared, insisting each death was 100 % preventable because the suspects should not have been in the country.
He urged state and local officials to honor ICE detainers, arguing that sanctuary policies release murderers back onto the streets.
Mullin also referenced two suspects in the stabbing of off‑duty NYPD Detective Jose Mercedes, one of whom had an active ICE detainer that was ignored.
“They were locked up before, we asked the city for them, and they were released,” he said, blaming sanctuary politicians for endangering the public.
