January 1, Mullin Puts CNN Anchor In His Place Over ICE Shooting

Wyatt’s Take

• Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stood firm on ICE enforcement when pressed by CNN about a shooting in New York City.
• Mullin shifted the conversation to the 258 illegal immigrants in New York wanted for murder and the American lives lost because sanctuary policies let them stay.
• The secretary called on sanctuary cities and states to stop releasing dangerous criminals back onto the streets.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin faced tough questions from CNN anchor Jake Tapper about last week’s ICE shooting in New York City. Mullin answered with hard numbers instead of apologies.

Mullin pointed out that Oscar Belgal had only been in the country three years yet already had a serious criminal record and ties to the Trinitarios street gang. He said when ICE officers approach someone for arrest, the suspect often knows jail is coming next.

“When we’re approaching a vehicle, that individual knows that they’re going to jail,” Mullin explained.

“Now, you want to talk about the two individuals that have been shot since I’ve been the secretary, let’s talk about the 258 illegals that are in New York City right now that are wanted for murder. Let’s talk about the 258 that are currently in state prison that killed individuals, that were illegals that we got detainers on.”

“All 258 of those individuals took an American life,” he added. “All 258 of those deaths were 100% preventable because those illegals shouldn’t be here. If people are really concerned about the tactics that are being used, how about the states cooperate with us? These individuals that I’ve talked about have detainers on them. Oscar had a detainer on him.”

Mullin also brought up two illegal immigrants linked to the stabbing of off-duty NYPD Detective Jose Mercedes. One of those suspects had an active ICE detainer that local officials ignored.

“That means they were locked up before, we asked the state, we asked the city to give them to us, and they released them back on the streets,” he said. “If anybody should be outraged, it should [be] the public to the sanctuary states and sanctuary politicians that continue to release these murderers and thugs back to the streets and put the public in danger.”

Wyatt Matters

Middle America families want safe streets and leaders who put American lives first. When sanctuary policies let violent criminals walk free, the cost is measured in real people lost, not headlines.