Mary Ann Mendoza, mother of Officer Brandon Mendoza—killed in 2014 by a driver in the U.S. without legal authorization—told Fox News she supports law enforcement and criticized Minneapolis leaders for a "warped view" of policing. She cited a DHS-related claim that 70% of undocumented immigrants arrested under the Trump administration had prior convictions or pending charges and referenced a reported spike in assaults on federal officers. Mendoza blamed local elected officials for limiting police powers and remembered her son as a devoted community officer.
Mother of Officer Killed by Undocumented Driver Condemns Minnesota Leaders' 'Warped View' of Policing
Protesters gather in front of the Minnesota State Capitol in response to the death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer last week, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn.(AP Newsroom)
Mary Ann Mendoza, the mother of Minneapolis police Officer Brandon Mendoza, spoke out on Fox News' "The Faulkner Focus," defending law enforcement and criticizing local leaders for what she called a "warped view" of policing that she says hampers officers' ability to protect communities.
Her Remarks and the Case Background
Officer Brandon Mendoza was fatally struck in 2014 by an intoxicated driver who was in the United States without legal authorization and had an extensive criminal history. Speaking about that loss, Mendoza emphasized why she supports stronger enforcement and pushed back against growing hostility toward immigration enforcement agents.
"These people don't know what their illegal neighbors have done," Mendoza told host Harris Faulkner. "These illegals move across the country to avoid crimes that they've committed."
Mendoza cited a statistic she attributed to Department of Homeland Security official Tricia McLaughlin, saying 70% of undocumented immigrants arrested under the Trump administration had prior convictions or pending charges. She also referenced a DHS report noting a recent sharp rise in assaults against federal law enforcement officers.
Context and Criticism of Local Leaders
Mendoza's comments come amid intensified anti-ICE demonstrations nationwide following the Jan. 7 shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis. She criticized Minneapolis elected officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey and the city council, for setting policies that she said restrict police actions and leave officers feeling powerless.
"What a lot of people don't understand is, it is the mayor and the city council who absolutely direct a police department of a city of what they can and cannot do," Mendoza said. "So these are the people that are saying to the law enforcement, the police officers, 'Sorry, you can't do your job.'"
She compared those local restrictions to actions she attributes to former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, saying Border Patrol agents were similarly "handcuffed" and prevented from doing their jobs.
Remembering Her Son
Mendoza also spoke warmly of her son, describing him as devoted to his community. "He was an amazing man who just loved his community, loved kids…went to every door in the neighborhood that he was working. The people knew him, the people loved him," she said, noting she was moved by the number of community members who recounted his acts of kindness.
Note: The article reports statements and attributed statistics made by Mendoza and references publicly reported DHS figures. Readers should consider the context and sourcing of quoted statistics when evaluating specific claims.
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