Comptroller Brad Lander arrested by ICE at Federal Plaza in NYC
City comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander found himself in a dramatic situation on Tuesday when he was arrested by ICE agents outside a federal immigration court. The chaotic scene unfolded as Lander demanded to see a judicial warrant for a man being apprehended by the immigration agents, maintaining a tight grip on the detainee’s shoulder.
Video footage captured the tense moment as Lander stood his ground, refusing to release his hold on the detainee despite orders from the agents. The situation escalated when a voice instructed the agents to “take him in,” leading to Lander being handcuffed.
In a defiant protest, Lander repeatedly asserted, “You don’t have the authority to arrest US citizens,” as seen in a video shared by an amNY reporter. Sources later revealed that Lander was arrested on charges of obstructing the government.
The arrest took place as Lander, a candidate for the Democratic mayoral nomination, was at the federal court to observe immigration proceedings following President Trump’s directive for ICE to focus on New York City.
A spokesperson for Lander, Dora Pekec, confirmed the incident, stating, “While escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza, Brad Lander was taken by masked agents and detained by ICE. This is still developing, and we are monitoring the situation closely.”
The arrest of a prominent political figure like Lander has raised questions and concerns about the role of ICE and the rights of individuals in immigration-related proceedings. As the situation continues to unfold, the repercussions of Lander’s arrest are likely to reverberate through the political landscape of New York City.
