Published: October 9, 2026 | Category: US Politics
Caption: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani addresses reporters at a late-night press conference near the Bronx scene where federal immigration agents shot a man on Thursday.
Overview
A shooting involving federal immigration agents in the Bronx has put the unusually warm relationship between President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani under real pressure. After a man identified as Belgal was shot by ICE agents in the Marble Hill area on Thursday, Mamdani spent roughly two hours on the phone with Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, trying to win the man’s release. By the end of the night, he had nothing to show for it.
What Happened in the Bronx
According to reports, immigration agents were attempting to arrest Belgal when shots were fired. The Department of Homeland Security says he has alleged links to the Trinitarios gang. NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told the press that at least one ICE agent fired seven rounds, and that the man was hit in the neck. She stressed that the NYPD took no part in the federal operation beforehand; its officers reached the scene only after responding to a nearby call and multiple reports of gunfire. The incident was not captured on police cameras.
The Phone Call
Mamdani said he spent about two hours negotiating directly with the president and the DHS secretary. Mullin later described how the conversation went: Trump suggested that the man’s past record gave the NYPD sufficient grounds to take him into custody, and pressed the mayor to have city police make the arrest. Mamdani refused. Instead, he proposed that the NYPD lead the investigation into the shooting. Neither side moved, and the man was not released.
Mamdani’s Public Response
Speaking at a late-night press conference close to the scene, with protesters nearby, Mamdani delivered a harsh verdict on the agency. He said ICE was rotten at its core, argued that it acts without accountability and spreads fear, and called for it to be abolished. Demonstrators reportedly shouted that he was complicit as he spoke, underlining how divided opinion is over his strategy of staying on speaking terms with the president.
A Test of Mamdani’s Strategy
Since taking office, Mamdani has defended engagement with Trump as a practical choice that, in his view, has helped New Yorkers. The two men, despite sharply opposed politics, have maintained a surprisingly cordial public rapport. This week’s events are among the clearest checks on how much that goodwill is actually worth. Immigration enforcement has intensified across the five boroughs for around nine months despite the mayor’s opposition, and federal figures show ICE took 922 people into custody in New York in May alone.
Some allies see the speed with which Mamdani reached the president and the DHS chief as proof that the channel works. Critics counter that access without results raises questions about what leverage he really holds.
What to Watch Next
- Whether the city and federal government agree on who investigates the shooting.
- Any change in ICE activity across New York following the backlash.
- How the Mamdani–Trump relationship evolves after this disagreement.
Sources: reporting by CNN, City & State New York, and other outlets covering the incident. This article is an original rewrite of publicly reported facts.
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Keywords: Mamdani, Trump, ICE shooting, Bronx shooting, Zohran Mamdani, NYC mayor, Markwayne Mullin, DHS, immigration enforcement, Marble Hill, Jessica Tisch, NYPD, abolish ICE, New York news, US politics
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Image Alt Text: NYC Mayor Mamdani speaking at a late-night press conference near the Bronx ICE shooting scene
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Tags: #Mamdani #Trump #ICE #Bronx #NYC #USPolitics
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