A disturbing incident in Albany, New York has reignited debate over sanctuary city policies and the public safety consequences tied to illegal immigration. On Tuesday evening, John Sarcone — the Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York — was chased by a knife-wielding illegal immigrant outside a hotel near the state Capitol, surveillance footage confirms.
Welcome to Albany’s Downtown!: “Knife-wielding man chases U.S. Attorney in downtown Albany, official says” https://t.co/59096XuD2u
— Fredric U. Dicker (@fud31) June 19, 2025
Sarcone, who also served as a legal adviser for Donald Trump’s 2016 and 2024 presidential campaigns, was outside smoking a cigar when he was approached by the assailant, later identified as Saul Morales-Garcia. The attacker, an illegal alien from El Salvador with a long and violent criminal history across several states, brandished a knife and lunged at Sarcone, prompting the attorney to flee into the hotel lobby.
Sarcone quickly contacted Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple. Displaying resolve, he returned outside to keep watch on the suspect until authorities arrived. Morales-Garcia again threatened him with the knife and reportedly made a slashing gesture across his throat.
“I’m a resident of the city of Albany, and I can’t … I don’t feel safe to go out for a walk and have a cigar right near the state Capitol,” Sarcone told The Albany Times Union following the attack.
According to WNYT, Morales-Garcia now faces charges including second-degree attempted murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and second-degree menacing. His criminal record, uncovered by The Times Union, spans multiple states including Georgia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania — in addition to prior felony convictions in El Salvador. ICE agents were present during his arraignment and are expected to pursue federal custody if Morales-Garcia is released pre-trial.
Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul announces she will be using $50 million to fund lawyers for illegal aliens, all using New Yorkers’ taxpayer dollars.
Democrats care more for illegal aliens than American citizens. pic.twitter.com/u6rxj4TtJS
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 18, 2025
The attack came just one day after New York Governor Kathy Hochul publicly celebrated allocating $50 million in state funds to provide legal assistance for illegal immigrants — a move harshly criticized in light of rising public safety concerns.
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) blasted Hochul following the incident. “In Kathy Hochul’s New York, nobody is safe, not even President Trump’s U.S. Attorney for the Northern District,” she wrote on X. “Kathy Hochul puts illegals first and New Yorkers last.”
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, who designated Albany a sanctuary city in 2017, issued a statement reaffirming that violent offenders would be prosecuted “regardless of where [they] are from.” However, critics argue that her sanctuary policy helped enable Morales-Garcia to remain in the country and ultimately commit the attack. Records confirm that Morales-Garcia was deported in 2010 but returned illegally — and remained shielded under sanctuary provisions.
