New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing strong pushback from critics after posting his condolences for the death of a jail inmate charged in the killing of an autistic man during an ambush.

“A person in City custody died yesterday evening following a court appearance in Queens,” Mamdani posted on X on Thursday. “Department of Correction staff performed CPR until emergency medical services arrived to take him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. I extend my condolences to his family. In line with standard practice, the DOC and its oversight partners will investigate the circumstances of his death.”

The vast majority of social media users who replied to the post took issue with Mamdani not providing more details about the alleged crime. The individual who died was Luis Alberto Lopez Castillo, who faced charges of murder, manslaughter and robbery related to the 2025 murder of 26-year-old Ron Marte, a man with special needs, the New York Post reported.

Prosecutors allege Castillo and his accomplice Axel Martinez ambushed Marte in the Bronx’s Starlight Park as he walked home from work, with Martinez shooting him in the chest while Castillo took his cellphone.

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Mamdani’s critics highlighted the post as an example of the mayor showing more concern for suspected criminals than victims.

“Again!” FOX Business anchor David Asman posted on X. “I thought somewhere in the beginning of ‘An Idiot’s Guide to Being Mayor’ here’s a suggestion: ‘Display sympathy for the victims; Not the criminals.’”

“Didn’t he murder a 26 year old special needs man?” Jewish advocacy group StopAntisemitism posted on X.

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“The guy Mamdani is mourning here was charged with robbing and murdering a 26 year old with special needs,” Benny Polatseck, a former digital producer for former NYC Mayor Eric Adams posted on X. “Did you see any tweets from him mourning his helpless victim?”

“Absolutely shameful…,” conservative influencer account Proud Elephant posted on X. “Just when you thought Mamdani couldn’t go any lower. Mamdani should do the right thing and resign from office in disgrace.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment.

Mamdani has faced similar criticism before, including in August when he mourned the death of a man with 27 prior arrests who died in Rikers Island jail while facing charges for murdering a man with a meat cleaver in a Brooklyn laundromat.

Mamdani has been outspoken about his efforts to improve safety and living conditions across the jail system and has made several moves he says will accomplish that, including ending 12-hour shifts for correctional staff, addressing the practice of housing people of different ages together, moving to close Rikers Island, and strengthening oversight under the federal Nunez monitoring agreement.

His administration has begun transferring unused Rikers facilities out of the Department of Correction’s control and opened a 104-bed therapeutic housing unit at Bellevue Hospital to provide incarcerated people with specialized medical care.

New York City has been legally committed since 2019 to closing Rikers and replacing it with four smaller borough-based jails, a plan Mamdani has pledged to accelerate. Critics argue the move would leave the city with fewer jail cells and make it more difficult to tackle crime.

Fox News Digital’s Robert Schmad contributed to this report

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Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey set off an online firestorm over the weekend over a plan to expand the commonwealth’s Welcome Family program, which she spoke about in a clip that went viral on social media.

Healey made the controversial comments in an appearance last week on Boston Public Radio, where she discussed the state’s taxpayer-funded plan to send nurses into the homes of new parents after childbirth.

“Everybody in the state, when you have a baby, you’re going to have a home visit within days, weeks and that will be an opportunity for a healthcare provider to make an assessment to see if you need some additional support and resources,” Healey explained.

The clip quickly made waves on social media, with conservatives blasting the governor’s government expansion.

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“Does this sound like a good idea?” conservative radio host Howie Carr wrote on X in a post viewed almost 2 million times.

“I’m sorry what?!” Conservative influencer account Libs of TikTok wrote on X in a post that was viewed over 2 million times. “MA Governor Maura Healey says everyone who has a baby will be visited in their home by a government appointed healthcare provider ‘to make an assessment’. Stay out of our homes you power hungry creep.”

“IDK who needs to hear this… but the government DOES NOT OWN your baby,” Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. posted on X. “Everyone needs to re-read 1984. “

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“Lunatic libs,” Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., posted on X.

Fox News Digital reached out to Healey’s office for comment.

Healey announced the expansion last week in a press release that described the program as “voluntary” and meant to “strengthen postpartum care and mental health support for mothers and families across Massachusetts, with a focus on reaching people earlier, making support easier to access and helping providers connect patients to care when they need it.”

Postpartum care has been a major topic of conversation in Massachusetts in light of the highly publicized trial of Lindsay Clancy in the commonwealth, where a jury recently deadlocked and could not come to a consensus whether Clancy was guilty of killing her three young children. Clancy’s defense team argued that she suffered from severe postpartum mental illness.

“Becoming a mother is a profound life change, and every parent deserves support—not just during pregnancy, but in the months that follow,” Healey said in the release. “Postpartum depression, anxiety and other maternal mental health conditions are real medical conditions, and no mother should feel ashamed to ask for help or feel like she has to navigate this journey alone. We’re working to expand postpartum care, identify concerns earlier and connect families to the mental health support they need, because taking care of moms means taking care of the whole family.”

Amy Carnevale, chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, told Fox News Digital in an interview that “this is an example of the government overreaching.”

“I’m a mom of three,” Carnevale said. “I’m blessed to have three wonderful children. And, doctors, today, they ask about postpartum depression. They ask about the need for resources. So, there are plenty of resources available to women after they have children in Massachusetts and nationwide. And this example by Gov. Healey to send people into the homes of new moms is an example of government overreach and the Massachusetts Republican Party has been hearing from moms across the state, moms and dads across the state, really objecting to this new policy.”

Fox News Digital’s Amanda Macias contributed to this report

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A smuggling vessel filled with Chinese nationals and other illegal immigrants was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Coast Guard in what sources called a rare and “extremely dangerous” attempt to enter the U.S. through Florida.

CBP confirmed the interdiction exclusively with Fox News, sharing video and photos of U.S. authorities intercepting the vessel, which was carrying 22 illegal immigrants, including 13 Chinese nationals. The boat, a 27-foot cuddy cabin vessel, was stopped, and the migrants aboard were arrested without incident Tuesday. The interdiction took place near Angelfish Creek, Florida, near Key Largo.

According to the agency, a CBP Air and Marine Operations multi-role enforcement aircraft first detected the vessel. The interdiction, carried out by CBP alongside Coast Guard personnel, resulted in the apprehension of one suspected smuggler, a Cuban national, 13 Chinese nationals, eight Ecuadorian nationals and one Dominican national.

Sources emphasized to Fox News that it is extremely rare for Chinese nationals to attempt to enter the U.S. through maritime Caribbean routes that are typically used by Haitians, Dominicans and Cubans. During the Biden administration, Chinese nationals typically entered the U.S. through land routes in California and Texas, which are now subject to tighter enforcement under the Trump administration.

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Andres Blanco, executive director of Air and Marine Operations Southeast Region, told Fox News that “attempting to enter the United States illegally by sea is extremely dangerous and will not go undetected.”

Blanco said that “this interdiction demonstrates the strength of our maritime partnerships and our commitment to stopping human smuggling organizations before they can put more lives at risk.”

He added that “those who attempt these dangerous voyages face arrest, prosecution, removal, and the very real possibility of losing their lives at sea.”

The illegal immigrants were transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Pablo Valent for processing. Meanwhile, authorities seized the vessel.

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After the operation, Coast Guard Lt. Corryn Ulrich, the commanding officer of the Pablo Valent, told Fox News that “the U.S. border remains secure due to highly capable teams and coordinated interagency enforcement” and that “we remain ready to save lives and enforce federal law at sea.”

The CBP Air and Marine Operations unit is designed to anticipate and confront aviation and maritime threats to America’s national integrity, according to the agency.

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet Thursday in Washington, D.C.

Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang claimed that, despite the leaders trumpeting a positive relationship, Xi is mulling a war against the United States and organizing troops “for battle.”

“Xi Jinping keeps on talking about going to war against us… and also he’s preparing China’s society, civilian and military, for battle. And we think we’re at peace,” Chang said Sunday on “Fox News Live.” “So, this is a very dangerous period for us.”

Chang’s remarks follow reports that China aided Iran in attacks that killed three U.S. troops in Jordan earlier this summer.

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The incident comes amid renewed debate over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot a Venezuelan illegal immigrant in Austin on Sunday. The Department of Homeland Security said the man shot by the officer, Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, “illegally entered the country under the Biden administration and had a final order of removal during a law enforcement operation.”

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His lawyer, Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch, has contested DHS’ statement, saying Perez entered the U.S. lawfully. According to DHS, he survived and is in stable condition and is in federal custody pending removal. The incident has resulted in large protests in Austin and Democratic politicians condemning ICE and the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement.

Fox News Digital’s Nora Moriarty and Stepheny Price contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump’s promise of a hefty payout for all Americans if Republicans win big in the midterm elections is taking heat from Democratic lawmakers who blast the vow as a “hysterical” lie and unlawful bribe.

“I think it’s hysterical,” Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., said about the promise. “Literally, I think, it’s insane. It’s effectively a proposed bribe of the American people that we can’t afford.”

“This is just fantasy land, right?” Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., told Fox News Digital. “$5,000 checks, plus, you know, puppies and rainbows and ponies.”

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He continued, “The president will make any promises he can.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., waved off Fox News Digital when asked about the checks, declining to comment.

Trump pledged to issue the $5,000 dividend during his speech at the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas earlier this month — as long as the GOP wins to keep control of both the Senate and the House in November.

“$5,000 to gain a majority?” Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., said. “He already has the Senate and the House and the White House, and it’s been an unmitigated disaster.”

“It’s just a campaign promise that he’s trying to make to the American public, because he knows he’s underwater, and he’s not doing well and people are angry,” Aguilar said.

Most Democrats who spoke with Fox News Digital about the payments waved off the president’s $5,000 pledge as a “lie” and argued it’s something Americans have heard from him before.

“If you have an opportunity to provide relief to the American people, you should take it,” Rep. Christian Menefee, D-Texas said. “But lying to Americans around election season, what the president has done numerous times, I think it’s sad and shameful.”

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He continued, “I can guarantee you those checks ain’t happening.”

“I think it’s one more lie, and people aren’t going to fall for this,” Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., said.

It’s not just Democratic lawmakers who disagree with Trump’s idea. Many Republicans have also been vocal about their outright opposition, with others questioning whether it could actually be achieved or approved by Congress. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said last week congressional approval would be necessary.

“You’ve already seen House Republicans and Capitol Hill Republicans say that this isn’t going to happen,” Aguilar said. “It’s just a campaign promise that he’s trying to make to the American public, because he knows he’s underwater, and he’s not doing well and people are angry.”

“He’s done this before,” Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., said. “He’s never followed through on it. If he does follow through, how are we gonna do it?”

The payments to 240 million Americans would cost the federal government roughly $1.2 trillion. Trump brushed off affordability criticism of the pledge, saying the U.S. could “easily” afford the payouts.

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Vice President JD Vance suggested one source for the money could come from tariff revenue. He also proposed excluding wealthy Americans from receiving the payout to make the pledge’s price tag more feasible.

Democrats also scrutinized Trump’s prioritization, urging the president to shift his focus to deliverables for the American people — particularly emphasizing healthcare.

“I’d rather give people their healthcare and their food assistance back,” Subramanyam said. “That’d be way more than $5,000 for most people.”

“If he really cared about the American people, he would have made sure they had healthcare,” Alsobrooks said.

Warnock even blamed Trump’s policies for being the reason Americans would need the $5,000 check.

“The only reason why Americans would need $5,000 is because of Trump’s awful policies,” Warnock said. “He should fix his policies. He shouldn’t wait until after the election.”

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Up-and-coming GOP star Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, is calling out the left for viewing Americans as “collateral damage” as Democratic leaders focused attention over the weekend on the nonfatal shooting of an illegal immigrant in Austin. Gill pointed to the arrest of a different illegal immigrant in Maryland for allegedly kidnapping and raping a teenage girl, saying that “the left will read this and feel absolutely nothing.”

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed to Fox News last week that local police had arrested Abdoulaye Dia, a rideshare driver and illegal immigrant from Guinea, on charges of kidnapping and raping an underage girl during a ride. Dia was allowed into the country under the Biden administration in 2023 and also faces a sexual assault charge involving a minor from earlier this year in New York City. According to DHS, police say that while conducting the ride, Dia took the girl to a parking lot in Silver Spring, Maryland, and raped her in his vehicle. DHS also said authorities believe there are more victims.

Meanwhile, media coverage and criticism from Democrats focused on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Austin shooting another rideshare driver, Venezuelan illegal immigrant Wilber Rafael Garces Perez. A source familiar confirmed to Fox News that ICE officers were conducting targeted immigration enforcement, using license plate checks, when they identified a vehicle registered to Garces Perez, who had a final order of removal. DHS says Perez is in stable condition and in federal custody pending removal. Democrats, including Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, condemned the incident. Casar called the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement a “war” and called for ICE to leave the city.

Meanwhile, Gill slammed the response to the Maryland case, predicting, “The left will read this and feel absolutely nothing” because “they simply don’t care how many Americans are r@ped and killed by illegal aliens.”

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Gill charged that “to Democrats,” victims of illegal immigrant crime are “nothing more than collateral damage in their long term project of using amnesty to build a permanent electoral majority.”

CNN questioned Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, about the case. He answered, “I want the people of my state to understand that I have no tolerance for violent offenders, period and full stop,” but added, “I also know this, is that the idea that we — are we supporting a Trump/Vance ICE operation that continues to violate the basic laws of our state, that also is not going to be tolerated.”

Moore said that “there is nothing that we will not do to make sure that our communities are safe,” adding, “It’s the reason we made historic investments in local law enforcement. It’s the reason that we have been very clear that, if someone commits a violent crime in our state, I want him in handcuffs in 24 hours, and they will have accountability coming their way.” He touted Maryland as currently experiencing “amongst the fastest drops in violent crime anywhere in the United States of America.”

“So, I will work with all partners, particularly when it comes to dealing with violent offenders, removing them from our communities, and making sure that they are accountable. And that includes — and that includes our federal partners when it comes to immigration services,” he said, before continuing, “But here’s the other thing that I do know that, when I look at ICE, ICE was an agency that was funded at $10 billion. Now ICE’s budget is over $85 billion. ICE is larger than the FBI. ICE is larger than the ATF. ICE’s budget is larger than the state of Maryland. And they are also using that to put unaccountable and unqualified people in our communities that are doing things like arresting five-year-olds.”

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“So, I will work to make sure that our communities are safe and address violent criminals everywhere they are,” he said.

Meanwhile, Republican New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino commented on the case by criticizing Democrats’ response. She posted on X, “Just to be clear, this animal was let across the border by Joe Biden, came to New York where he sexually assaulted a minor, was released thanks to our sanctuary and decarceration policies, and made his way to Maryland where he raped ANOTHER minor while working as an [sic] cab driver.”

Paladino charged that “Democrats will call you insane and bigoted for caring about this.”

“There is absolutely no amount of rape, murder, or violence that will get Democrats to change anything. This is the status quo to them, and they just don’t care,” she wrote, adding, “Open borders and total decarceration. That’s the core of the DSA-led Democrat party. And they will stand on top of a pile of bodies, look you straight in the eye, smirk, and tell you we’re ‘safer’ because of it.”

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Fox News Digital reached out to Moore and Casar for additional comment.

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According to DHS, Dia was allowed into the country after entering through Lukeville, Arizona, on Dec. 21, 2023. Fox News was on the ground in Lukeville on that day and took footage of long lines of immigrants being allowed into the U.S.

Dia was arrested on June 10 in New York City on charges of sexual abuse by forcible compulsion, forcible touching of the sexual or intimate parts of another person, injuring a child younger than 17 and sexual abuse without consent. Dia was arrested again in Maryland on Wednesday in connection with the alleged rape in a Silver Spring parking lot.

Fox News’ Brooke Taylor contributed to this report.