New York City's socialist mayor just called ICE "cruel" to defend a man who tried to weaponize a vehicle against federal officers.
The man had assault and drug charges before he ever touched that car.
And Mamdani used the arrest to demand ICE be abolished entirely.
What Mamdani Is Actually Defending
Chidozie Wilson Okeke entered the United States on a tourist visa in August 2023.
He was supposed to leave by February 26, 2024.
He didn't.
Instead, he racked up arrests for assault and criminal drug possession.
When ICE agents finally caught up to him Saturday night in Brooklyn, Okeke refused to exit his vehicle and tried to ram them with it.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, he then became "physically combative, attempting to punch and elbow ICE officers."
Agents used minimum force to make the arrest and transported him to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center for a medical evaluation.
At the hospital, Okeke threw himself on the floor and screamed.
He was eventually cleared by medical staff and taken into federal custody.
That's the man New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is upset about losing.
The Protest That Followed
While Okeke was being evaluated inside, approximately 150 anti-ICE protesters descended on Wyckoff Heights Medical Center.
They weren't peaceful.
DHS confirmed the mob beat up agents and destroyed ICE vehicles, leaving officers with minor injuries.
Six protesters were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental administration.
One woman, Jennifer Hansen, shattered the rear window of an ICE vehicle with her fist.
Another, Chloe Sells, placed a used sanitary pad on a marked NYPD vehicle.
Sharon Freystaetter and Presleigh Hayashida threw garbage cans into the street, forcing cars to brake hard and blocking the path of emergency vehicles.
NYPD officers – who had no advance knowledge of the ICE operation – arrived after 911 callers reported the crowd cutting off access to the hospital's emergency entrances.
When one protester was removed from the area by officers, the moment was caught on video and circulated online.
Mamdani saw that video and went straight to the cameras.
What Mamdani Said
"I think they are cruel," the mayor told reporters Monday, referring to ICE raids as a whole.
He called Okeke's arrest – by agents who were nearly struck by a vehicle – "incredibly concerning."
He said the city's NYPD would not assist in civil immigration enforcement.
And then he said what he always says: "I believe ICE should be abolished."
This wasn't a slip or a moment of passion.
Mamdani has been calling for abolishing ICE since before he was elected.
He went on The View in January and said it on national television.
He signed an executive order in February to further restrict city cooperation with federal agents.
He spoke at a May Day rally in Washington Square Park on Thursday – three days before ICE showed up in Brooklyn.
https://twitter.com/1010WINS/status/2051314945032151416?s=20
The hospital incident isn't an inflection point for Mamdani.
It's a highlight reel moment.
What This Really Means for New York
The DOJ sued New York City in July 2025 over its sanctuary policies.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the city "has released thousands of criminals on the streets to commit violent crimes against law-abiding citizens."
That lawsuit is still working through the courts – and Mamdani is using the time to dig in deeper.
He was elected promising to protect illegal immigrants from federal enforcement.
He is governing exactly as advertised.
The question New Yorkers should be asking is a simple one: who does a mayor work for when he defends a visa overstayer with assault charges over the federal agents trying to remove him?
The protesters who smashed ICE vehicles and beat on agents face disorderly conduct charges.
In New York, that means they'll be back on the street before the week is out.
ICE has Okeke in federal custody.
Mamdani wants to change that too.
Sources:
- Louis Casiano, "Mamdani doubles down on abolishing ICE after agitators protest agents getting treatment for illegal immigrant," Fox News, May 4, 2026.
- "Anti-ICE demonstrators detained after protesting arrest of illegal immigrant facing assault, drug charges," Fox News, May 4, 2026.
- Department of Homeland Security (@DHSgov), official statement on Okeke arrest, May 4, 2026.
- "Justice Department Sues New York City Over Sanctuary Policies," U.S. Department of Justice, July 24, 2025.
- "Mayor Mamdani says he is 'in support of abolishing ICE,'" ABC News, January 20, 2026.