New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander found himself at the center of a political firestorm Tuesday after being arrested by Department of Homeland Security agents. The dramatic incident occurred during an immigration court proceeding.
According to Fox News, Lander was taken into custody after allegedly assaulting a federal officer while ICE agents were escorting a defendant out of immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza. He was released hours later with Governor Kathy Hochul at his side.
Video footage of the incident shows Lander clinging to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, repeatedly demanding to see a judicial warrant. "I will let go when you show me the judicial warrant!" Lander can be heard saying in the video. "Where is it?! Where is the warrant?!"
The arrest immediately sparked strong reactions from officials across New York's political spectrum. Several mayoral candidates quickly came to Lander's defense, framing the incident as political intimidation.
Former New York Governor and current mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo took to social media platform X, characterizing the situation as "extreme thuggery" by "Trump's ICE out of control." Cuomo expressed concern about families confronted by ICE agents, citing "fear of separation, fear of being taken from their schools, fear of being detained without just cause."
Fellow mayoral candidates Scott Stringer and Zohran Kwame Mamdani called for Lander's immediate release, with Mamdani bluntly describing the arrest as "fascism" and urging all New Yorkers to "speak in one voice." Stringer specifically criticized what he called "recent politicization of federal immigration authorities under the Trump administration."
Despite walking free from the courthouse alongside Governor Hochul, who announced that charges against Lander had been dropped, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York indicated the matter isn't closed.
Nick Biase, chief of public affairs for the U.S. Attorney's Office, stated they are "continuing to investigate" Lander's actions. He emphasized that the "safety and security of official proceedings, government officials, law enforcement officers, and all members of the public who participate in them is a core focus of our Office."
A DHS spokesperson defended the actions of ICE agents, noting they face a "413% increase in assaults against them" and condemning politicians who "undermine law enforcement safety to get a viral moment." The spokesperson stated bluntly: "No one is above the law, and if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will face consequences."
Civil rights advocates quickly rallied behind Lander, framing the arrest as an overreach of federal authority and an attack on democratic principles.
New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman issued a statement calling the arrest an abuse of power and a threat to democracy. She characterized it as "dangerous intimidation" that "shows a wanton disregard for the will of the people of New York."
New York Attorney General Letitia James similarly condemned the arrest, describing Lander's actions as "standing up for immigrants" and calling the arrest "a shocking abuse of power." James further characterized the incident as "a grotesque escalation of tensions" and suggested the administration's "rampant targeting of New Yorkers only makes our communities less safe."
The high-profile arrest of Lander comes amid escalating confrontations between local officials and federal immigration authorities. This incident represents another flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over immigration policy and enforcement.
The arrest occurred just weeks after charges were dropped against Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka for federal trespassing at Delaney Hall, a privately operated ICE facility. These incidents highlight growing tensions between local elected officials and federal immigration enforcement.
Governor Hochul's presence at Lander's release suggests state-level support for the comptroller, though federal authorities maintain they are still investigating the matter. The conflicting messages about whether charges have been dropped or remain under investigation indicate this case may continue to develop.
