Episode Overview

Podcast: Bloomberg Talks
Episode Title: New York Representative Nicole Malliotakis (R) Talks Funding Deadline, ICE Reform
Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Bloomberg
Guest: Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, NY-11 (R)

Main Theme:
This episode features Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis discussing looming federal funding deadlines, reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, cooperation (or lack thereof) between cities and federal immigration authorities, the effect of local New York policies on safety and homelessness, and upcoming political races. The conversation addresses both legislative challenges and the intersection of public policy, safety, and city management.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. ICE Enforcement & Municipal Cooperation

[01:15–02:56]

• Current State of ICE Tactics:

  • Malliotakis states that ICE’s aggressive enforcement tactics are unpopular but necessary due to lack of local cooperation.

  • Localities like NYC and Minneapolis do not allow ICE to remove criminal offenders directly from jail, forcing ICE to operate in neighborhoods, which she believes creates safety risks for all involved.

    “Now, ICE has really no choice but to go in the municipalities and find these perpetrators. Why? Because these local municipalities are not cooperating… ICE has no choice but to go into these cities and find these individuals, which makes it less safe for the officers, for the community, for the immigrants.” — Nicole Malliotakis [01:41]

• Examples of Criminals Targeted:

  • Recent ICE raids in Minneapolis apprehended convicted criminals, including murderers and a repeat sex offender.

    “…arresting two murderers who had detained orders of removal going back to 2013 and 2015, a guy with 24 criminal convictions, a guy was convicted of sodomizing a 12 year old girl.” — Nicole Malliotakis [02:28]

2. Congressional Debate on ICE Reform Measures

[02:56–06:19]

• Debate Context:

  • The debate centers on proposed reforms including mask bans, body camera requirements, warrant requirements, and new standards for enforcement operations.
  • Republican Senators (Cornyn, Cruz, Budd) largely oppose additional requirements like demasking, citing officer safety concerns.

• Views on Legislative Proposals:

  • Body Cameras: Malliotakis surprisingly supports body cameras, crediting them with increasing transparency based on her NYPD experience.

    “I do support it and I support it. Why? Because it tells the whole story. …And if the camera tells the full story, it helps clear their names and can really put a lot to rest.” — Nicole Malliotakis [04:07]

  • Judicial Warrants and Masks: She opposes new judicial warrant requirements, arguing it would slow down enforcement and hinder ICE operations. She connects mask requirements to conflicts during raids, which she argues would be unnecessary if municipalities cooperated.

  • Room for Compromise: While looking for common ground, Malliotakis emphasizes streamlining work authorization renewals as a point of bipartisan agreement, separate from enforcement debate.

    “If we can just make some progress in some of that stuff, it shows compassion from the administration. It helps our economy and it helps these people who are here trying to find a better life.” — Nicole Malliotakis [05:46]

3. Potential Homeland Security Funding Shutdown

[06:19–07:14]

• Discussion on Government Funding:

  • Immediate funding issue is for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Malliotakis warns that failure to fund DHS would not stop ICE, but would halt TSA, the Coast Guard, and critical counterterrorism and cybersecurity functions.

    “ICE has the resources. You're shutting down the tsa, airport screening and flight security. You're shutting down counterterrorism, cybersecurity programs and Coast Guard. …don't mess with our Homeland Security.” — Nicole Malliotakis [06:46]

• Call for Compromise: She urges Democratic leaders, especially those from New York, to avoid politicizing homeland security funding.

  “…Schumer and Jeffrey should know better than to try to play politics with Homeland Security.” — Nicole Malliotakis [07:04]

4. New York City’s Response to Winter Crisis and Homelessness

[07:17–08:42]

• Winter Deaths: The recent cold front led to 17 deaths among the homeless in NYC, which Malliotakis blames on the current mayor’s refusal to forcibly remove people from the streets during dangerous weather.

  “…that change in policy to not remove people who are homeless from the streets in these frigid weathers was obviously a deadly mistake.” — Nicole Malliotakis [07:38]

• Comparison to Migrant Policy & Critique of City Management:

  • She points out the irony of city-provided luxury hotel rooms for migrants while neglecting mentally ill homeless individuals.

  • Criticizes the mayor for cuts to public safety and sanitation, resulting in garbage buildup and declining service delivery.

    “He's not putting the resources necessary to get the streets cleaned in a timely manner. …I hope he's learning from this and adjusting as we go along.” — Nicole Malliotakis [08:30]

5. Upcoming Political Races and NY-11 Redistricting

[08:42–10:06]

• 2026 Mayoral & Gubernatorial Races:

  • Malliotakis suggests Republican Bruce Blakeman focus on the "radical positions" of Democratic rivals: bail reform, non-citizen voting, NYPD funding cuts, and increasing property taxes.

  • Positions these policy choices as drivers of higher living costs and compromised safety.

    “I think Bruce needs to remind everyone the radical positions that these two individuals have taken… made us less safe. Now we've seen some crime come down. It's a result of President Trump people need to recognize that he's deported criminals. He's put pressure on these municipalities. That's why New York City is safer today than it was just a little over a year ago.” — Nicole Malliotakis [09:17]

• Redistricting and Representation:

  • She announces the plan to appeal any changes to her congressional district, framing it as an effort by Democrats to eliminate the city’s only Republican seat.

    “We hope to keep our map as is because this is a grab by the Democrats to try to take the only Republican voice in New York City.” — Nicole Malliotakis [10:03]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:41] On ICE and Municipal Non-Cooperation:
  “Now, ICE has really no choice but to go in the municipalities and find these perpetrators. Why? Because these local municipalities are not cooperating.”

• [04:07] On Body Cameras:
  “And if the camera tells the full story, it helps clear their names and can really put a lot to rest.”

• [06:46] On DHS Shutdown Risks:
  “ICE has the resources. You're shutting down the tsa, airport screening and flight security. You're shutting down counterterrorism, cybersecurity programs and Coast Guard. …don't mess with our Homeland Security.”

• [07:38] On Homelessness in Winter:
  “…that change in policy to not remove people who are homeless from the streets in these frigid weathers was obviously a deadly mistake.”

• [09:17] On Political Strategy:
  “I think Bruce needs to remind everyone the radical positions that these two individuals have taken… made us less safe. Now we've seen some crime come down. It's a result of President Trump, people need to recognize that he's deported criminals. ...That's why New York City is safer today.”

• [10:03] On Redistricting:
  “We hope to keep our map as is because this is a grab by the Democrats to try to take the only Republican voice in New York City.”

Segment Timestamps

• ICE Reform & Non-Cooperation: [01:15–02:56]
• Congressional Debate on ICE Measures: [02:56–06:19]
• DHS Funding Deadline: [06:19–07:14]
• NYC Winter Crisis Response & Homelessness: [07:17–08:42]
• Political Races & Redistricting: [08:42–10:06]

This episode provides a window into the intersection of national immigration enforcement, local cooperation, political strategy, and the management of public services in New York. Congresswoman Malliotakis advocates for a combination of robust enforcement, pragmatic compromise, and greater city accountability — all delivered in a direct, critique-heavy style characteristic of her public persona.